Postpartum Depression Stole My First Year of Motherhood

One mom’s story. %2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fb%2Fpaw-patrol%2F-%2FN-4u91h%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/uPFNTrEX2SetAPokb5eDiK09egk=266 [Scary Mommy](%2F%2Fscarymommy.com%2F%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/vWok6vbLq6O6CWAbY5c-E-V1nTM=266) Apr 12, 2022 %2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fq=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.scarymommy.com%252Fparenting%252Fpostpartum-depression-stole-my-first-year-of-motherhood%26sa=D%26source=docs%26ust=1649778865311462%26usg=AOvVaw0B9apMZjtzGocVuiC_kn0G%26utm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/141C-EPYBbxzs_MA3XAiYNiT4fk=266 [Postpartum Depression Stole My First Year of Motherhood](%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fq=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.scarymommy.com%252Fparenting%252Fpostpartum-depression-stole-my-first-year-of-motherhood%26sa=D%26source=docs%26ust=1649778865311462%26usg=AOvVaw0B9apMZjtzGocVuiC_kn0G%26utm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/2/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/uzq8S85c27UC4O5TyLwobY0cuEY=266) PPD is a heavy reality for so many moms. Becky Vieira — who you might know from her very funny Instagram account, @WittyOtter — writes for us today about the toll it took on her. While she’s much, much better now, she’s struggling with the fact there’s no getting those early days back: “I’d give anything to see him at that age one more time. To feel that tiny baby in my arms and marvel at him. To be completely present in a way that was never even a possibility for me back then.” Check out her story, and let us know if it resonates with you — you can always reach me at our group email address: [HiScaryMommy@bdg.com](mailto:HiScaryMommy@bdg.com?utm_campaign=26665&utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2&utm_source=newsletter&utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10) — Kelly Faircloth, Executive Editor [READ MORE](%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Furl%3Fq=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.scarymommy.com%252Fparenting%252Fpostpartum-depression-stole-my-first-year-of-motherhood%26sa=D%26source=docs%26ust=1649778865311462%26usg=AOvVaw0B9apMZjtzGocVuiC_kn0G%252F%26utm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/ABKe2izFYbMuqQqxH5B0R0MShG0=266) %2F%2Fwww.target.com%2Fb%2Fpaw-patrol%2F-%2FN-4u91h%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/2/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/EaqOGciHV1CzTefOz7PP_zz8y-0=266 [Latest] [Latest] %2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Ffinding-my-place-in-the-lgbtq-community-as-a-bisexual-mom%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/t6prWzyjcROwgSUayeMZ21_vO9I=266 INCLUSION [I’m A Queer Mom In A Straight-Passing Relationship, And I Want To Be Seen](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Ffinding-my-place-in-the-lgbtq-community-as-a-bisexual-mom%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/2/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/GMZlf6Dy2mRN79JzjxXxYYfKYg8=266) “It’s started to wear on me that I don’t feel like I can fully be myself around other parents. Straight parents assume I’m straight, and queer parents assume I’m…also straight. I started to feel like a fraud; it became exhausting.” [Read More](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Ffinding-my-place-in-the-lgbtq-community-as-a-bisexual-mom%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/3/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/R63d21NZQURYdvn52W21xDW8ZLw=266) %2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fentertainment%2Fbritney-spears-pregnant%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/Qju4oosyIbPuVGmJPGCD4T_AgVw=266 ...ONE MORE TIME [Britney Spears Says She’s Pregnant](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fentertainment%2Fbritney-spears-pregnant%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/2/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/BIEBcIFL84qdnZf4Q3325PvywC8=266) During her conservatorship, Spears testified about how she was [required to be on birth control](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fbritney-spears-conservatorship-speech%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/Wns4FVOvUa4xAD97riRy8E-CJMw=266) and how she was forced to work long hours without freedom. [Read More](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fentertainment%2Fbritney-spears-pregnant%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/3/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/TsgwXU9gy1d1jJC2MSYbk7ObmwY=266) %2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Flifestyle%2Fmy-kid-helped-me-find-my-inner-athlete%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/oUSlqQuPo8zNEwa5Iqv9QprU8pM=266 DON'T EVER GIVE UP [I Was Awful At Sports. Then Came My Kid.](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Flifestyle%2Fmy-kid-helped-me-find-my-inner-athlete%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/2/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/cPGOzVUdObK4Dh3LH6e-NA9RmYE=266) Turns out, your sporty kid can be a surprisingly motivational coach. [Read More](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Flifestyle%2Fmy-kid-helped-me-find-my-inner-athlete%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/3/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/6fSj7lMwR5pRRx8bwWOmD0Pv5qQ=266) [Featured] [Featured] %2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Fmeet-the-paw-patrol-toys-that-are-about-to-join-your-family%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/YhDeP7i6Tbvv4DteNobXfo8YxR0=266 [Presented by Paw Patrol](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Fmeet-the-paw-patrol-toys-that-are-about-to-join-your-family%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/2/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/v-elEu65HtZvQZCak3T1ckt1KWg=266) [Meet the PAW Patrol Toys That Are About to Fully Become Members of Your Family](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Fmeet-the-paw-patrol-toys-that-are-about-to-join-your-family%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/3/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/7eZKP25S6ovuircnV3Lk46w0Nac=266) Preschoolers are little explorers, naturally curious and equipped with the necessary motor skills to explore the world around them. 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%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Fteaching-kids-about-consent-bodily-autonomy%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/1/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/5YpwKUXj0tsWAKhKnr03JP2hHW0=266 [SPIKES OUT](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Fteaching-kids-about-consent-bodily-autonomy%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/2/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/uTt1DlrgufdVYhHl9a-pn0wb3qE=266) [The Day I Realized I Wasn’t Sending My Daughter A Strong Enough Message About Consent](%2F%2Fwww.scarymommy.com%2Fparenting%2Fteaching-kids-about-consent-bodily-autonomy%3Futm_campaign=26665%26utm_medium=scaryMommyDailyV2%26utm_source=newsletter%26utm_session=33bffe7e-9403-4594-a37e-5a45d2b75c10/3/010001801fa0f62f-2b09a44b-ccf3-40b0-9673-72b1fd926df4-000000/2DOaQxHJQs-FuKiYD5nuFQdMA30=266) One day, Ellie Peterson watched her daughter explode into angry tears after being carried around like a sack of potatoes by friends. She writes: “Through hitching breaths, she told me that she didn’t want to be picked up and was tired of being touched by everyone. ‘Why didn’t you just say that?’ I asked, incredulously. ‘I don’t know!’ she replied.” That moment made Peterson realize she needed to send a stronger message to her daughter — and eventually, she turned that message into a book for kids everywhere. 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