This is a collaborative post: When you have a young baby or are struggling with the challenges of parenthood across the years, you may find your patience to be far more limited than before. While some types of thoughts and feelings could be a sign of postnatal depression, not every negative emotion could be attributed as such. At times, there may be things that simply irritate you beyond belief. For those helping to support an exhausted Mum, it can be a good idea to acknowledge some of the things that could push her over her limits.
Most people hate it when the phone rings, but for new parents, it can be part of a bigger battle.
Imagine that you have just got your baby down for their nap and then the phone rings, waking them. This could leave a parent feeling frustrated, and also prevent them from either getting on with other tasks or simply having a rest themselves. Cold callers and those trying to scam you may end up feeling quite a bit of wrath.
To prevent unwanted calls from 0800 numbers, or others that you similarly do not recognise, it could be a good idea to put your phone on silent or do not disturb mode. Within this, you could potentially alter the settings so that audible notifications will occur only for those on your contact list, or individuals of your choosing.
Alongside the phone ringing, an exhausted new mother may not appreciate knocks at the door throughout the day. While it can be tempting for others to visit to congratulate you on your new addition, you may want to nip this in the bud before it even starts. You could set some rules that others need to follow, such as arranging to come round rather than simply turning up, to bring a bit of order to your life. By turning away those who show up, you may be able to reiterate your boundaries. This could be especially important if you want time to rest, rather than spending your days hosting so soon after birth.
In saying this, you may also not want to lose all of your former identity or be lonely throughout the days. Some people may find that, when they have a baby, they no longer see their childless friends as often. While you may not be able to take part in the same activities, you may still long for their presence. Arranging to spend time together can be good for you. True friends may also want to assist you as you recover and get used to your new role, which means you might be able to get some support with your baby and household along the way.
When you are utterly spent from looking after an infant, it can be completely normal for things to seem a bit more difficult than usual. By identifying potential issues that could result in negative emotions, you may be able to put plans in place to either avoid them or make them much more positive.