Ann Dunnewold, PhD, has a message she wants to share with mothers who have gone through postpartum depression (PPD) and related disorders. Listen up now.
You didn't ruin your child's life. You've done the best you could. None of us are super-human. None of us are perfect. You are not the sole source of your child's happiness.
All of us must give up the illusion that total control or perfection in parenting are even possible in this life. There is no one right way to raise children and what looked like a good approach last week may be replaced with something that looks better this week. We are all feeling our way along.
"In the midst of PPD and parenting, it's helpful to stop and acknowledge what you are doing for your baby. Leave a sheet of paper on the counter. Tally each mothering task: you changed a diaper, you fed, you burped, you rocked, you wiped up spit-up, you patted, you soothed ... ad nauseam. Every moment counts, so count them."
http://www.postpartumprogress.com/weblog/2010/05/have-i-wrecked-my-childs-life-parenting-after-postpartum-depression-anxiety.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+PostpartumProgress+%28Postpartum+Progress%29