Catherine O’Brien
We are talking with Catherine O’Brien from Happy with baby about couples adjustment to parenthood. Catherine O’Brien is a licensed marriage and family therapist, speaker, and educator, and is the founder of HappyWithBaby.com which provides counseling and coaching for new and expecting parents, facilitates courses to help parents manage expectations of parenthood, as well as understanding developmental milestones of infants and children. She is a California state co-coordinator in the greater Sacramneto area for Postpartum Support International (www.postpartum.net) and has been volunteering with them since 2011, she also helped establish A Mother’s Heart a local organization in Sacramento that supports women and families affected by perinatal mood and anxiety disorders (http://a-mothers-heart.org/).
Catherine found her true passion after giving birth to her first child and realizing that even with a strong relationship adding a beautiful little baby really rocks your world. She wants to help couples have a plan to thrive during this transition instead of just surviving. Catherine is also married to her “perfect” partner and is a mother of a 7 year old son and 3 year old daughter and knows what it’s like to be a parent that is overwhelmed, exhausted, and doubting her competency.
Find Catherine Obrien, information, article, tips for new parents on http://www.happywithbaby.com
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Parenthood is one of life’s most transformative experiences. It’s a journey that reshapes our identity, priorities, and relationships in profound ways. For many couples, the transition can be tumultuous, challenging even the strongest bonds. Recognizing this critical phase, Catherine O’Brien, a licensed marriage and family therapist and the founder of HappyWithBaby.com, has dedicated herself to supporting new parents as they navigate these waters. In our latest podcast, we delve deep with Catherine to understand how couples can adjust to parenthood without merely surviving, but thriving.
Discovering a Passion
Catherine’s journey into the world of parental support began with her own experiences. After the birth of her first child, she quickly realized that even a strong relationship could be tested by the addition of a new family member. “Adding a beautiful little baby really rocks your world,” Catherine shares. This personal revelation sparked a desire to help others, leading her to establish Happy With Baby. This platform is not just a resource but a community that offers counseling, coaching, and educational courses designed to prepare parents for the realities of parenthood.
The Mission of Happy With Baby
At Happy With Baby, Catherine and her team focus on several core areas:
- Expectation Management: Helping parents set realistic expectations about parenthood.
- Developmental Milestones: Educating parents on the developmental stages of infants and children to better prepare them for the changes their children will go through.
- Relationship Guidance: Offering strategies to maintain and strengthen the couple’s relationship post-baby.
Advocacy and Support
Beyond her website, Catherine is deeply involved in broader advocacy and support networks. She serves as a California state co-coordinator for Postpartum Support International, a role she has embraced since 2011. Her work here involves spearheading initiatives to support women and families dealing with perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. Additionally, Catherine helped establish A Mother’s Heart, a Sacramento-based organization dedicated to the same cause.
Real-Life Insights
Living with her “perfect” partner and being a mother to a seven-year-old son and a three-year-old daughter, Catherine brings not only professional expertise but personal experience to her practice. She openly discusses the challenges of being an overwhelmed and exhausted parent, dealing with self-doubt about her competency. This vulnerability makes her relatable to other parents facing similar struggles.
Tips for New Parents
Throughout our conversation, Catherine offered invaluable advice for new and expecting parents:
- Plan Ahead: Before the baby arrives, discuss how you will handle various responsibilities and support each other as partners.
- Communicate Openly: Keep the lines of communication open. Discuss feelings of overwhelm or exhaustion openly without judgment.
- Seek Support: Don’t hesitate to reach out for professional help if you feel it’s needed. Organizations like Postpartum Support International and local groups can provide crucial support.
- Self-Care: It’s essential for parents to take time for themselves. Self-care isn’t selfish; it’s necessary to be a good parent.
- Adjust Expectations: Be flexible with your expectations of parenthood and each other. Understanding that both will evolve over time is key to reducing stress.
Connecting with Happy With Baby
For those looking to connect with Catherine or seeking more resources, HappyWithBaby.com offers a wealth of information, tips, and courses. Additionally, Catherine’s presence on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook (@happywithbaby) makes her accessible to parents worldwide, providing daily support and engagement.
In our conversation with Catherine O’Brien, it’s clear that her passion for helping parents stems from both professional knowledge and personal empathy. Her insights into the complexities of parenthood, coupled with practical advice, make her an invaluable resource for anyone navigating this challenging yet rewarding phase of life. Whether through her website, social media, or community involvement, Catherine’s influence continues to empower parents to not just endure but thrive during the early stages of family life.
Dr. Kat offers perinatal mental health psychotherapy . consultation and training for the following:
Pregnancy Loss Support
Pregnancy Anxiety
Postpartum Anxiety
Pregnancy Depression
