Becoming a new parent
Becoming a parent is a joyous, momentous and often challenging stage of life.
From the life changing moment you hold your new baby for the first time, to the “you’re really sending us
home with a baby ALONE?” moment post birth, to six months of sleep deprivation (and loads of cuddles, coos and… well, poos) nothing quite prepares you for everything it means to become a parent – emotionally or physically.
While some of us slide into the groove with few problems, others have hiccups along the way, be them big or small. Not to mention the experience can be different each time you become a parent!
The Gidget Foundation - supporting new parents
The Gidget Foundation is a not for profit group actively promoting the importance of emotional wellbeing to expectant and new parents, their healthcare providers and the wider community.
They work collaboratively with other professionals supporting vulnerable parents. Their programs include emotional wellbeing screening program through hospitals and providing free video psychological counselling sessions and face to face psychological support sessions for families experiencing emotional distress during pregnancy and early parenthood.
“We know parenthood can be a wonderful and special time, but it also has its challenges with over 50% of new parents experiencing adjustment disorders. We want to help by providing the right tools and resources,” says Arabella Gibson, CEO of Gidget Foundation Australia.
Bunny Books - Children's stories to support new parents
The Little Helper Bunny Books
The Bunny Books were born to help support new or expecting parents with their mental wellbeing
Earlier this year, the Foundation released a series of parental self-help books disguised as bedtime stories for baby and child, the Bunny Books set. “The one person all new parents do talk to is their baby and this is where we found our idea. The book collection is a great addition to what the Foundation already offers,” says Gibson.
The collection is made up of four titles, all written and illustrated to appeal to babies, while packed with clever content that delivers a dose of proven psychological strategies designed to equip parents with some of the skills required to navigate parenthood.
The books provide practical tools and coping strategies for common parenting hiccups – for example, visualisation for insomnia, and mindfulness, gratitude and physical exercise to help parents struggling with motivation and mental wellbeing.
There is also a range of complimentary videos featuring four of the Gidget Clinical Psychologists talking about the philosophy behind each story and how it’s been told.
The books were created by creative agency Naked Communications, who donate their time and support to Gidget Foundation Australia. They have been written by Daniel Miller, in conjunction with the Foundation’s clinical psychologists, and illustrated by Jenny Tang.
"As well as supporting families, entertaining babies, and supporting the Foundations work through sales, they hope the books will spark wider national discussions around the taboo subject they’re trying to tackle, raising awareness and knowledge of the importance of emotional wellbeing" says Jon Burden, Executive Creative Director of Naked Communications.
You can get your hands on The Little Helper Bunny Books
online or through Dymocks in George St, Sydney, and cost $29.99 (plus $10 postage.)