Scientific Mommy

Postpartum Depression

The Potential Cost of Honesty in Perinatal Screening

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on November 5, 2024

A key to supporting perinatal caregivers is to provide them with mental health support. However, our current screening practices often discourage them from getting needed help.

A key to supporting perinatal caregivers is to provide them with mental health support. However, our current screening practices often discourage them from getting needed help.

Mental Health Stigma

The Stigma of Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on October 25, 2024

Recognizing postpartum symptoms beyond the baby blues.

Recognizing postpartum symptoms beyond the baby blues.

Parenting

Parenting is Hard: Let's Do Something About It

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on September 30, 2024

Parenting is in a state of crisis in this country. Parents need better support if we want them and their children to flourish.

Parenting is in a state of crisis in this country. Parents need better support if we want them and their children to flourish.

Postpartum Depression

Fathers Suffer, Too: The Reality of Perinatal Mental Health

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on July 18, 2024

“I would bet all the money in the world that he had postpartum anxiety, and nobody told him that he was at risk."

“I would bet all the money in the world that he had postpartum anxiety, and nobody told him that he was at risk."

Postpartum Depression

Grieving the Joy That Wasn’t: Healing from Perinatal Mood Disorders

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on June 12, 2024

Grief following a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder is often experienced but not spoken about. It is time to normalize this experience and support those going through it.

Grief following a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder is often experienced but not spoken about. It is time to normalize this experience and support those going through it.

Parenting

The Story of Paid Parental Leave Is Complex

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on March 6, 2024

Parental leave is a topic of vital importance. Supporting parents throughout their children's development is integral to the conversation.

Parental leave is a topic of vital importance. Supporting parents throughout their children's development is integral to the conversation.

Parenting

The Power of Parental Connection

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on February 13, 2024

While parent-parent support can be a powerful predictor of parental, as well as child well-being, we often lack it.

While parent-parent support can be a powerful predictor of parental, as well as child well-being, we often lack it.

Relationships

"Grey's Anatomy" and "Modern Family": Comfort in Relational Repair

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on February 5, 2024

The concept of relational repair is central to feeling comfortable within close relationships.

The concept of relational repair is central to feeling comfortable within close relationships.

Parenting

Why People-Pleasing and Parenting Don't Mix

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on January 29, 2024

People-pleasers feel pressure to keep everyone around them happy. Yet being a present parent often requires making other people in our lives unhappy—at least temporarily.

People-pleasers feel pressure to keep everyone around them happy. Yet being a present parent often requires making other people in our lives unhappy—at least temporarily.

Diet

The Emotional Strain of Picky Eating

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on January 16, 2024

As feeding our children is a primal need, having a picky eater can cause parental stress and anxiety. Yet, there are ways to support both selective eaters and their parents.

As feeding our children is a primal need, having a picky eater can cause parental stress and anxiety. Yet, there are ways to support both selective eaters and their parents.

Postpartum Depression

The Need for Universal Postpartum Depression Screening

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on January 11, 2024

As many as 20 percent of new parents experience postpartum depression and anxiety, but little screening is done to diagnose.

As many as 20 percent of new parents experience postpartum depression and anxiety, but little screening is done to diagnose.

Stress

Flight or Fright: Traveling With a Toddler

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on January 5, 2024

Personal Perspective: Flying with a toddler brings into the spotlight how little support parents often receive, and the roots of parenting stress and loneliness.

Personal Perspective: Flying with a toddler brings into the spotlight how little support parents often receive, and the roots of parenting stress and loneliness.

Depression

When Depression, Mental Load, and the Holidays Collide

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on December 19, 2023

A Personal Perspective: My mother was wiped out by the holidays—and as an adult, I finally understand why.

A Personal Perspective: My mother was wiped out by the holidays—and as an adult, I finally understand why.

Identity

“Barbie”: When Hollywood Gets Psychology Right

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on November 30, 2023

The "Barbie" movie eloquently illustrates the struggles of identity development.

The "Barbie" movie eloquently illustrates the struggles of identity development.

Attachment

An Attachment Researcher Adopts

Erin O’Connor Ed.D. on November 16, 2023

Personal Perspective: Knowing the science and research of attachment supported me during unexpected times in our adoption journey.

Personal Perspective: Knowing the science and research of attachment supported me during unexpected times in our adoption journey.

Play

Simple Ways to Encourage Independent Play

Erin O'Connor, Ed.D. and Robin Neuhaus on March 3, 2021

With simple, research-backed strategies, caregivers can encourage children to play independently.

With simple, research-backed strategies, caregivers can encourage children to play independently.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

The One Thing Missing From Parents' Plans for the Fall

Erin O'Connor, Ed.D. and Robin Neuhaus on August 27, 2020

Without it, children won’t reap the full benefits of any program or plan intended to support them.

Without it, children won’t reap the full benefits of any program or plan intended to support them.

Perfectionism

What Type of Perfectionist Is Your Child?

Erin O'Connor, Ed.D. and Robin Neuhaus on July 9, 2020

Does your child have extremely high standards? Are they worried their teacher will be disappointed in their work? Children can experience different kinds of perfectionism.

Does your child have extremely high standards? Are they worried their teacher will be disappointed in their work? Children can experience different kinds of perfectionism.