It takes an awful lot of ‘stuff’ to be a dad.
It is estimated that 1 in 10 new fathers suffer with postnatal depression. I would imagine given society norms about men presenting with mental health issues that that figure is actually below the truth.
New Daddies are gaining so much but there are also an awful lot of losses to deal with, plus the enormous weight of responsibility to bare. New dad’s may feel they are no longer important to their partner or that their child does not need them in the way they need their mother.
Becoming a parent also raises all kinds of issues that we may have with our own parents. It can all feel overwhelming and dads need to permission to be finding it hard.
Next time you check in on a newborn and a new mum perhaps take time to ask the new daddy how he is feeling?
Be Hird Therapy 