I recently attended the CEDA infant mental health conference and had the pleasure of hearing the esteemed T. Berry Brazelton speak. At 92 years old, Mr. Brazelton is America's foremost authority in pediatrics. As I sat at the Hilton Downtown Chicago for his speech, I took a few notes on his advice to young parents on what to avoid. Check it out!
-Helen
Parental Stressors Young Parents Must Anticipate
1) Changes in family structure (children born out of wedlock, single mothers/fathers) that have changed the "women's role" in the family.
2) Feelings of lonliness and isolation that often leave young parents with mental stress.
3)Lack of time for developing family rituals and traditions with their young children.
4) Stressors of poverty that often produce trauma (especially for immigrants), lack of health insurance and fear of homelessness.
5) Unspoken grief and hopelessness - 48% of mothers are depressed in the first three years.
6) Media imagery distorting and skewing chidren's world view and emotional make up.
For more please read Mr Brazelton's Touchpoints: Anticipatory Guidance of a Child's First Three Years
-Helen
Parental Stressors Young Parents Must Anticipate
1) Changes in family structure (children born out of wedlock, single mothers/fathers) that have changed the "women's role" in the family.
2) Feelings of lonliness and isolation that often leave young parents with mental stress.
3)Lack of time for developing family rituals and traditions with their young children.
4) Stressors of poverty that often produce trauma (especially for immigrants), lack of health insurance and fear of homelessness.
5) Unspoken grief and hopelessness - 48% of mothers are depressed in the first three years.
6) Media imagery distorting and skewing chidren's world view and emotional make up.
For more please read Mr Brazelton's Touchpoints: Anticipatory Guidance of a Child's First Three Years