Parenting is never simple, but for some mothers, the journey is filled with challenges few can imagine. This is the story of a South African mom whose baby developed severe feeding difficulties, leading to hospital stays, rare diagnoses, and eventually, life with a gastrostomy tube (G-tube). She bravely shares her family’s experience in hopes of […]
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Parenting While Breaking the Cycle Motherhood is layered. For me, it’s not just about raising my children – it’s about raising myself, too. I was brought up by a covert narcissistic mother, a relationship that fractured beyond repair. Today, I have no contact with her, but her shadow lingers in the background of my parenting […]
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I don’t know if I’m “enjoying motherhood.” People ask me that all the time, and I don’t know what to say. How do you enjoy something when you’re always in survival mode? When you’re running on no sleep, no support, and no space to breathe? When you’re pulled in every direction, expected to mother, work, […]
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Parenting is a beautiful journey — but it can also feel overwhelming, especially in the early years. That’s where professionals like Candice Van Kesteren, an Occupational Therapist based in Cape Town, step in to offer real, relatable support. Through individual and group parenting workshops, Candice helps parents better understand their child’s development and how to […]
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The Pressure to Reproduce – and Why It’s Deeply Harmful In today’s world, the pressure on women to have children (or have more children) hasn’t disappeared – it’s just gotten sneakier. It shows up at family gatherings, in social media comments, and even in casual conversations at the grocery store. When are you having a […]
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Loving our kids is the easy part. Caring for them, nurturing them, showing up with hugs, bedtime stories, and scraped-knee kisses – that comes naturally. It’s everything else that makes motherhood feel so heavy sometimes. We’re not burnt out because of our kids.We’re burnt out because society handed us a plate stacked with impossible expectations […]
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It’s no secret that modern motherhood feels heavier than ever before. We are raising children in a world where the expectations placed on mothers have skyrocketed. We are expected to work as if we don’t have children.And parent as if we don’t have a job. The standards are relentless:Homemade baby food, nutritious meals from scratch, […]
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Pregnancy is often portrayed as a time of joy and excitement, but for some women, it becomes an unbearable fight for survival. Hyperemesis Gravidarum (HG) is a severe pregnancy complication that goes far beyond morning sickness—it can lead to extreme weight loss, dehydration, malnutrition, and a devastating toll on mental health. Tragically, Jess Cronshaw, a […]
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In this heartfelt account, Alexandrea Roberts bravely shares the often-overlooked challenges single mothers in South Africa face. Through the lens of Newton’s laws, she unveils the unyielding emotional and financial burdens single mothers endure, revealing the hidden emotional toll on those left to raise children without the support of a partner. As Alexandrea describes, the […]
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Balancing a career and family is a challenge many working mothers face, often while earning less than their male or child-free counterparts. This issue, commonly known as the “motherhood penalty” reflects how mothers in the workforce often encounter reduced earnings, fewer advancement opportunities, and a lack of recognition for the unique demands they navigate daily. […]
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Welcome to our new interview series on Postpartum Directory, where we dive into the stories and insights of trusted postpartum and prenatal service providers. Today, we’re excited to feature Annette Nel, a certified lactation counsellor. Annette shares her personal breastfeeding journey and provides expert advice on unique challenges like managing biting at the breast, balancing […]
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Bringing new life into the world is a journey filled with hopes and dreams. Parents envision first smiles, tiny footsteps, and a future full of memories. But when a baby’s life is tragically cut short before birth, it is a profound loss that brings unimaginable pain and sorrow. Stillbirth—the loss of a baby after 20 […]
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Pregnancy is a miraculous journey, but it comes with its own set of challenges. One such complication that can affect expectant mothers is pre-eclampsia. This condition, characterized by high blood pressure and damage to organs, can have serious consequences if not identified and managed in a timely manner. Today, we’ll explore pre-eclampsia and delve into […]
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Postpartum support is crucial for new mothers as they adjust to the physical and emotional changes that come with giving birth. In South Africa, there are resources available to help mothers through this transition period. One of the most important sources of postpartum support is healthcare professionals. In South Africa, new mothers can receive care […]
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