Expecting and parenting a baby can be a very happy time but it may also feel daunting and overwhelming. 
On Tuesday morning, April 25 next the Family Centre in Castlebar will host a free event called “Preparing for and Coping with New Parenthood” from 10.30am to 11.30am.
This event is open to expectant parents or those who have just had a baby. It may also be helpful to anyone that is supporting new or soon-to-be parents including grandparents, extended family members or friends.
Everyone’s journey to parenthood is unique as is their baby. While parenting comes natural to many for others that is not always the case and in such instances having support and feeling supported is very important.
Whether you feel anxious, unsure, exhausted or merely curious, this talk may be of benefit to you or your partners/loved one.
Join senior clinical psychologist Dr Jeananne Garavan for this free talk which will focus on:
- Getting to know your baby and responding to their emotional needs;
- Being a ‘good enough’ parent;
- The emotional adjustment of becoming a parent;
- Parental wellbeing: Looking after yourself so as to look after your baby.
Dr Garavan is based with the Primary Care Adult Psychology Services in Casltbar and is chair of the Mayo Infant Mental Health Forum and the Regional Infant Mental Health Group in the HSE as well as a member of the executive committee of the Irish Association for Infant Mental Health.
Dr Garavan worked for 18 years in Adult Mental Health, She is a qualified Cognitive Analytic Therapy Practitioner and has a keen interest in perinatal mental health and the interface between adult and infant wellbeing.
Her therapeutic work with adults has always been informed and strongly influenced by attachment theory and how we relate to each other.
Dr Garavan is very passionate about the importance of nurturing parents and care givers so that babies and infants are nurtured in kind.
The event has been coordinated in conjunction with the Mayo Primary Care Adult Psychology Services.
The talk will also facilitate sign posting of key parenting support services as well as plenty of time for Q& A.
Admission is free. For more information contact the Family Centre on (094)9025900.
