Are You a "Yeah, But" Mom?
Something I see a lot when I work with moms: is that internal struggle between what they think they should be doing and what they need to be doing.
How often do you catch yourself saying, “Yeah, but…”? Do you let yourself get stuck in a loop of resisting new ideas, or are you open to trying something different for the sake of your postpartum health and happiness? In New Jersey, especially the Philadelphia area, it seems like everyone’s got an opinion on how things “should be done,” and this can be a major barrier to real support because when someone seems to have an agenda, we spicy moms can get super turned off by all of the unsolicited advice we often to get.
I see this a lot in my postpartum prep sessions—moms trying to reject societal norms that don't align with their values and that are causing them unnecessary stress. Quite often, I get the “Yeah, but…”
For example:
Struggling with sleep? I might suggest bedsharing or adopting a whole new sleep routine, and you say, “Yeah, but…”
Overwhelmed by laundry or dog walks? I might tell you to put that on pause and focus on yourself in the first few weeks, and you’re like, “Yeah, but…”
Feeling like you’re drowning in daily life? I suggest hiring some temporary help to get through the hardest part, and the response is, “Yeah, but…”
We all get it. New ideas—especially ones that challenge our routines—can feel unsettling or even impossible. But being stuck in that “Yeah, but” mindset is what keeps you from growing and finding peace in motherhood. I mean if it’s not working, you gotta change it. And I can promise you that if you don’t take action to make the said change, it ain’t likely to happen. This “Yeah, but…” mentality can stop you from exploring solutions that could make your life easier, smoother, and less stressful.
Instead of rejecting ideas before you even try them, take a moment to ask yourself:
“Is this keeping me stuck, or could this open up a new possibility?”
You’d be surprised how many “Yeah, but” moments turn into real breakthroughs when we stop resisting and start listening to what works for us, instead of what society expects of us. And this applies to everything from the big decisions to the tiny ones—like whether or not to encapsulate your placenta for postpartum recovery.
(Yes, I went there—getting those placenta pills isn’t as crazy as it sounds when you see how much they can help with postpartum anxiety, energy, and even milk supply. Just trust me on this one.)
Next time you’re thinking about shutting down an idea that could help, take a second to flip the script and think, “What if this does work for me?” You might just find the solution you didn’t even know you were looking for.
So, here’s my challenge for you: Take a sec to assess where you might be holding yourself back. If you find yourself stuck in that “Yeah, but” loop, it’s time to dig a little deeper and figure out what’s keeping you from budging on something that could make your life simpler and more joyful.
I’ve put together the PPA Risk Assessment to help you understand where you’re at in your postpartum preparation, and it might give you a clearer picture of what you need. It’s a simple, quick tool to help you identify potential risks to your mental health and get the support you deserve, whether that’s exploring the benefits of placenta encapsulation or trying something else that feels unfamiliar but could make a huge difference for you.
