I’m Planning for my family. Depression makes me feel like im going to be a subpar mum. Anyone feels…

Thanks for being so honest! It’s interesting how this is not being talked about more.. I know PND is a big topic but what about parents with mental health conditions? Where we do get our support and how do we prevent our children suffering the same thing?

Sub-par (below average mum)

If you are suffering from depression it doesn’t mean your future children will have mental health problems. Things like bipolar disorder there is a greater chance that your children can develop it but it’s not a definite.

I’ve had mental health problems for years now and I have three amazing children , I don’t let my kids see me when I’m sad and if I need five mins to myself I make sure they are safe and have a breather to sort myself out.

I will admit I was young when I had my daughter and he first 2/3years of her life I was a mess. I had post natal depression, psychosis and an eating disorder. But with help and support from the people around me and doctors and other outside help I got better and now we have an amazing bond and all three of my babies have everything they need and they know I love them. They come first and without them I’d be god I don’t even want to think about that!

When you do become pregnant you can be referred under the midwifes mental health team and they can offer you loads of advice as support if you feel you need it. There’s nothing to be ashamed of also having mental health problems doesn’t make you a shit mum.

For me my children made me the person I am today and there’s not a thing I wouldn’t do for them!

Feel free to inbox me privately if you ever need a chat x

Thank you so much @erincharlieconor!