The birth of a child and depression

National Public Radio did a story on dads and depression.

Click here to read it.

Some many questions come to mind:

Is this a generational issue with the "me" (the Millennial) generation accustomed to praise and affirmation lacking the resilience of other generations?

Are expectations of parenting examined as a variable?

Has community support been examined as a variable?

Is 'depression" being confused with exhaustion?

Are "depression" rates the same for parents of first children as with parents of successive children?

When Shere Hite

of The Hite Reports interviewed women and men she asked who they turned to for emotional support. Women said women and men said women. Could it be that the woman who has just given birth and is emotionally tied with the newborn is not there for the man and he has no other place to turn for support?

Is satisfaction with the experience of labor and birth a factor?

Do parents who have no experience and exposure to newborn babies have the same rates of "depression" as those with significant experience?

Is it that our harmony addicted culture has a hard time with accepting the shadow side of life and needs a fix?

Are these studies funded by pharmaceuticals with something to gain through pill manufacturing for treatment?

How does pregnancy, childbirth and parenting fit into the rhythm of life?

What's your experience?

Bees Study Group

Ahhhhhh, big breath out.

How full spring is. With sunshine and unseasonably hot weather it feels like summer. Yet school and Morning Garden are still in session. We spent a weekend in Maine, have been working on the house and in the gardens, got a pool ( I capitulated with the heat) and I gave birth to two booklets, one on the rabbit, of verses, puppetry and finger play and one called Celebrating Birthdays in Early Childhood. Theyr're beautiful and were both contributions to the local school benefit auction.

Well the Practical Advice for Teachers study group is underway and full of fabulous people. The introductions and comments are inspiring.

The interest is reading Steiners lectures on bees was great (and is also a strong interest of mine) so I started a second group.

Can you tell I was born in May and gave birth to a child (in June) with a May "due date." It's a creative time of the year for me.

Welcome all and please join the reading groups if they spark your interest.

Splendid Summer wishes to all!

Warmly,

Lisa

Steiner Says!

Anyone for reading Steiner and discussing it in a group forum? The only requirement is to read, even one page a day and check in with comments, reflections, questions, concerns, musings, to connect with others who are on this parenting path. It's open to all. No prevous reading of Rudolf Steiner required.

Possible texts, these are all available online for free:

Education of the Child in Light of Anthroposophy

Discussions with Teachers

Practical Advice to Teachers

Soul Economy

Click here for the link to join.

Hope you'll join!

Happy Day!

Moe came home and is on the mend. Life is good. Happy spring.