Baby’s first Christmas can come with a lot more weight than most people talk about.
The pressure to make memories. The logistics. The overstimulation. The quiet grief when it doesn’t look the way you imagined it would.
In this episode, Chelsea and Mike talk honestly about what babies are actually learning during the holidays and why it has far less to do with gifts, photos, or traditions, and far more to do with tone, pace, and safety.
We unpack how parental calm shapes a baby’s nervous system, why “making it special” often turns into performance, and how couples can protect their energy (and each other) during high-pressure seasons.
This isn’t an episode about lowering your standards or forcing gratitude. It’s a permission slip to let this Christmas be real, slower, and more human, and to trust that presence matters more than perfection.
If this season is highlighting exhaustion, resentment, or the need for clearer communication between you and your partner, this is exactly the kind of work we support couples with.
You can learn more or connect with us at postpartumtogether.com.
The number one way to tank the holidays for your family isn’t burnt rolls, forgotten gifts, or a crooked tree. It’s walking into every room wound tight, resentful, and pretending your energy isn’t affecting anyone.
In this episode, Chelsea and Mike break down what kids actually remember about the holidays (hint: not the matching pajamas) and why your nervous system becomes the emotional backdrop of the season. Drawing from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, Gottman’s research, and Polyvagal Theory, they explain how kids store emotional memories more deeply than the details of any event.
You’ll hear real-life stories, honest confessions, and simple tools to help you pause before you snap, breathe through triggers, and become more of a thermostat than a tornado.
Plus, they’ll walk you through practical ways to share the holiday mental load, so you’re not carrying 99% of the invisible prep while resenting everyone else.
If the holidays feel heavy, you’re not failing. You’re just carrying too much alone. Let’s change that.
In this episode, we talk about:
Why the emotional climate of the home matters more than perfect food, outfits, or décor
How kids “remember” holidays in their bodies, not just with their minds
What research from Harvard’s Center on the Developing Child, Gottman, and Polyvagal Theory tells us about stress, safety, and childhood memories
The difference between being “yourself” and becoming an emotional tornado in a shared space
Why moms especially feel pressure to “make it magical” and how that pressure slides into performance mode
Common holiday nervous system triggers:
Family dynamics that make you feel like you’re 12 again
Financial strain and gift pressure
Schedules being completely off (bedtimes, routines, sugar, travel)
A simple nervous system reset you can use in the bathroom, car, or closet in 20–30 seconds
How to take a pause without abandoning the conversation or triggering your partner
Using micro-plans and 5-minute check-ins to prevent 80% of holiday resentment
How to share the load before you explode (including using a “mental load brain dump” list together)
10-Day Holiday Mental Load Series – short daily videos to help you regulate, set boundaries, and share the load this season.
Holiday Mental Load Brain Dump / Template – get everything out of your head and into a shared plan with your partner.
Our Current Offers for Expecting and New Parents – coaching, workshops, and resources at: postpartumtogether.com → “Current Offerings.”
ou made it to the final episode of our 10-day Holiday Mental Load Series, and that says something meaningful about who you are as a partner and a parent.
You’ve shown up with intention, reflection, honesty, and a desire to make this season lighter for everyone in your home, including yourself.
In today’s wrap-up, we look back on everything you’ve covered:
• Home + hosting• Family logistics• Event schedules• Emotional labor• Your own sanity + capacity• Travel prep• Gift logistics• Shared planning• Mixed emotions
And most importantly, you now have the language, tools, and clarity to share the load instead of silently carrying it alone.
In this episode, we talk about:
• The patterns couples fall into during early parenthood• Why awareness is the first step toward change• How to keep using these tools through the whole year• What “teamwork” actually looks like in real life• How to protect your relationship from default-parent burnout• Why you didn’t do anything wrong — you were just doing too much
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough
Use the brain dump, holiday categories, emotional prompts, and weekly planning tools to support your conversations and protect your connection this season:
https://www.postpartumtogether.com/mental-load-braindump-holiday
You deserve a holiday that feels connected, not chaotic.
And you don’t have to figure it out alone.
Today we’re talking about something almost every new parent experiences during the holidays, but few couples actually prepare for: Mixed emotions.
Because December isn’t just joy and magic.
It’s overstimulation, nostalgia, grief, pressure, expectations, family dynamics, exhaustion, and the ache of wanting the holidays to feel a certain way… while navigating a very tender season of parenthood.
And partners don’t always feel the same way at the same time.
In this episode, we unpack:
• Why mixed emotions are normal (and expected) in early parenthood• How emotional load is just as real as logistical load• What happens when couples don’t talk about what they’re feeling• How to avoid “emotion mismatch resentment”• The “Name + Ask” Method for emotional clarity• What emotional support looks like in real, practical ways• How to honor both partners’ internal experiences — even when they’re different
This is one of the most human, heartfelt conversations of the series, and it’s designed to help couples feel safer, softer, and more connected during a season that often feels emotionally overwhelming.
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough
Use the emotional labor prompts, boundary-setting questions, holiday expectations mapping, and weekly planning sheets to support these conversations:
https://www.postpartumtogether.com/mental-load-braindump-holiday
Mixed emotions aren’t the problem.
Silence is.
You deserve emotional support this season and so does your partner.
Today we’re breaking down one of the most powerful tools for reducing resentment, confusion, and emotional overload during the holidays: the Holiday Huddle.
A Holiday Huddle is a simple 10-minute weekly check-in that helps couples stay aligned during December — before the stress, assumptions, and misunderstandings hit.
Because most holiday conflicts aren’t about what happened.
They’re about not talking ahead of time.
In this episode, we walk you through the exact Holiday Huddle process we teach inside the Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough, including:
• Step-by-step questions for a weekly check-in
• How to avoid the “default parent” dynamic
• Why assumptions create 80% of holiday tension
• How to set realistic expectations for your bandwidth
• How to divide responsibilities using Lead + Support roles
• How to identify what needs to come off your plate this week
• How to plan for emotional load, not just logistics
This is the tool that keeps couples grounded, connected, and prepared — so you’re not running on last-minute panic or silent resentment.
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough
It includes the full Holiday Huddle script, weekly planning pages, and the category breakdowns you’ll want beside you.
https://www.postpartumtogether.com/mental-load-braindump-holiday
Ten minutes.
Once a week.
Total game changer.
Today we’re digging into one of the biggest (underestimated) parts of the holiday mental load: Gift logistics and all the special extras that come with December.
Because gifts aren’t just gifts.
They’re:• Lists• Budgets• Shipping timelines• Teacher gifts• Stockings• Matching pajamas• “Who already bought what?”• “What’s developmentally appropriate?”• “Did we go overboard or not enough?”
And most of that invisible planning ends up sitting in one partner’s brain until it leads to resentment and overwhelm.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why gift logistics hit new parents so hard• The emotional labor behind “making it special”• How to prevent the default-parent dynamic with gifts• The 3 Gift Lanes Method (Mandatory, Optional, Special Extras)• How to divide holiday gifting in a way that feels fair• How to avoid overspending, duplication, and burnout• The difference between meaningful traditions and pressure-based traditions
This episode takes the weight off the “Chief Gift Officer” role many parents fall into — and helps couples build a gift plan that feels clearer, calmer, and actually joyful.
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough guide
It includes the full gift logistics category list, lane assignments, planning prompts, and a place to organize the entire holiday load together:
https://www.postpartumtogether.com/mental-load-braindump-holiday
Gifts don’t have to drain you. When you share the load, they get a whole lot lighter.
Welcome to Day 6 of our 10-Day Holiday Mental Load Series for new and expecting parents.
Today we’re digging into a part of the season that becomes shockingly heavy once you have a baby: holiday safety and travel prep.
Because holiday travel is no longer “grab your bag and go.”
It’s car seats, sleep setups, feeding supplies, backup outfits, weather checks, medicine bags, chargers, toys, kid snacks, emergency layers, nap windows, and the logistics of navigating several hours in a car or airport with a very small human who has zero interest in travel efficiency.
And usually, one partner is carrying all of this in their head.
In this episode, we break down:
• Why holiday travel becomes a full-on mental load for new parents
• The invisible planning that creates resentment if it’s not shared
• How to avoid the default-parent dynamic on travel days
• The “Travel Non-Negotiables List” (the 5–7 things every parent needs)
• How to divide travel responsibilities fairly so one person isn’t drowning
• What to do when plans go sideways (because they always do)
This episode is all about lowering the pressure, creating clarity, and stepping into travel as a team — not hoping one person magically remembers everything.
Your step-by-step guide for:
✔ Travel prep
✔ Holiday scheduling
✔ Emotional labor
✔ Gift logistics
✔ Weekly Holiday Huddles
✔ A full holiday brain dump
✔ Dividing tasks without resentment
👉 Download it here:
https://www.postpartumtogether.com/mental-load-braindump-holiday
When you plan together, travel becomes calmer — and so does the rest of the season.
We’ll break down the emotional + logistical weight behind gift giving and how to share it fairly.
Subscribe so you don’t miss it.
NEXT EPISODE: Day 7 — Gift Logistics + Special Extras
Today we’re talking about the part of the holiday mental load that almost no one prioritizes, but absolutely every new parent needs: your own capacity, needs, and sanity.
Because when you’re navigating the holidays with a baby, even the “simple” things can feel overwhelming. Lights, noise, disrupted routines, pressure to be everywhere, overstimulation, emotional labor, family dynamics… it all compounds fast.
Most new parents end up pushing their own needs to the bottom of the list, which leads to burnout, resentment, and that “I’m holding everything together by a thread” feeling.
When you’re running on empty, nobody gets the best version of you—least of all you.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why self-preservation is essential during the holidays
• How new parents become overstimulated and emotionally depleted
• The “Non-Negotiable + Bailout Plan” tool to protect your bandwidth
• How to communicate your needs without guilt
• How to prevent emotional overload before it spills into conflict
• Why your sanity is a major part of your family’s holiday wellbeing
This episode is part of our 10-day series helping couples replace holiday overwhelm with connection, clarity, and teamwork—especially during the busiest season of early parenthood.
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough guide
This companion tool includes a full holiday brain dump, Self + Sanity prompts, emotional labor mapping, and the weekly Holiday Huddle template to help you protect your capacity this season:
Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough: Make the Invisible Holiday Work Visible in Your Relationship
Your needs matter. Your bandwidth matters. And your sanity is worth protecting...especially in December.
Episode 4 of 10: Emotional Labor + Holiday Expectations (Holiday Mental Load Series)
Today we’re talking about the invisible part of the holiday mental load that hits new and expecting parents the hardest: emotional labor and expectations.
This is the stuff no one sees ,but absolutely everyone feels.
Because when you’re the parent managing the vibe of the room, the tension between relatives, your own overstimulation, your baby’s needs, and everyone’s expectations… the holidays can feel more like emotional gymnastics than family fun.
In this episode, we dive into:
• Why emotional labor skyrockets during the holidays
• How one partner often ends up managing everyone’s feelings
• The pressure to “make it magical” when you’re exhausted
• How family expectations create hidden stress
• The “Emotional Non-Negotiables” tool to protect your bandwidth
• What to say when you’re trying to set boundaries without creating conflict
• How couples can show up for each other emotionally—not just logistically
This episode is part of our 10-day series helping couples replace holiday overwhelm with connection, clarity, and teamwork.
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough guide
Inside you’ll find emotional labor prompts, boundary-setting questions, holiday expectations mapping, and your weekly Holiday Huddle worksheet:
Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough: Make the Invisible Holiday Work Visible in Your Relationship
Your emotional wellbeing matters, and the holidays feel lighter when you both understand the load you're carrying.
Today we’re talking about the part of the holiday mental load that drains new parents faster than anything else: the nonstop event schedule and the endless seasonal to-do list.
Because once you have a baby, every outing suddenly comes with extra logistics, emotional load, nap timing stress, overstimulation concerns, and a very real question:
“Is this even worth it for our family right now?”
In this episode, we break down:
• Why holiday events feel overwhelming with a baby
• How couples accidentally overschedule themselves
• The “Memory Pressure” that leads to doing things you don’t even want to do
• How to decide what’s meaningful vs. what’s performative
• The three-bucket system (Must Do / Could Do / Doesn’t Matter This Year)
• How to prevent resentment by planning together
• Why your values—not social pressure—should shape your December calendar
This episode is part of our 10-day series designed to help couples replace holiday tension with teamwork, clarity, and connection.
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough guideYour full holiday brain dump, event-planning prompts, category breakdowns, and weekly Holiday Huddle worksheet are inside:
Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough: Make the Invisible Holiday Work Visible in Your Relationship
Let’s make this season lighter, calmer, and more aligned with what actually matters to your family.
Today we’re unpacking the part of the holiday mental load that drains new parents faster than wrapping paper and sugar crashes: logistics and family coordination.
Because once you become a parent, December is no longer just a month—it’s an entire operation. Travel planning, nap windows, meal timing, driving routes, RSVPs, “who’s hosting what,” and navigating multiple sides of the family… it adds up quickly. And usually, one partner ends up carrying the whole thing mentally.
In this episode, we cover:
• Why holiday logistics overwhelm new and expecting parents
• The hidden emotional load behind timing, planning, and travel
• How to stop being the “default calendar keeper”
• The weekly Holiday Huddle that prevents resentment
• How to divide logistics realistically instead of snapping at each other
• Why clarity—not perfection—is what makes December smoother
This episode is part of our 10-day series designed to help couples replace tension with teamwork during the busiest season of early parenthood.
👉 Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough guide
Your holiday brain dump, category breakdowns, and weekly planning template are waiting for you:
Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough: Make the Invisible Holiday Work Visible in Your Relationship
Let’s make December feel more manageable and more connected.
Welcome to the first episode of our 10-day Holiday Mental Load Series—created for new and expecting parents who are overwhelmed by the mental load of December.
Today we’re breaking down the invisible work behind holiday home prep and hosting from the decorating, cleaning, planning, meal prep, to the emotional labor that usually falls on one partner.
In this episode, we’ll cover:
• Why home + hosting becomes such a heavy mental load
• How the “default holiday parent” dynamic forms
• The Lead + Support strategy for dividing hosting tasks
• How to set a “Good Enough Holiday Home” standard
• How to prevent resentment and miscommunication before they hit
This series is designed to help you feel more supported, more aligned, and more like a team through the busiest season of early parenthood.
Download the free Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough—the brain dump guide, category breakdown, and weekly Holiday Huddle prompts we reference in every episode:
Click here to download the Holiday Mental Load Breakthrough: Make the Invisible Holiday Work Visible in Your Relationship
You love your baby. You love your partner.But the holidays hit, and suddenly you’re the one tracking gifts, outfits, nap schedules, travel plans, and everyone’s feelings… while your partner is getting praised for bringing one pie.
In this episode, Chelsea and Mike break down the mental load of the holidays for new parents—especially moms who are carrying the invisible work of making everything “magical” while feeling unseen, overextended, and resentful. You’ll hear real examples from couples they coach, why this season is so triggering, and concrete ways dads/partners can finally get off the sidelines and step into true teamwork.
You’ll also hear exactly how to use our holiday mental load template so you’re not just venting—you’re getting that invisible work out of your head, onto paper, and divided fairly.
What the mental load / invisible load actually is for new moms in postpartum and early parenthood
Why the holiday mental load explodes for new parents (texts from family, travel plans, gifts, outfits, schedules, emotional baggage)
How patriarchy and old gender scripts still show up at the holidays—even with “good guys” who want to be involved
Why new dads often want to help but don’t have a model and get stuck on the sidelines
The difference between “helping with one sliver” of a task vs. taking full responsibility for an entire category (like groceries, gifts, or travel)
The Holiday Huddle: a simple weekly check-in to talk about what’s coming up, what’s stressing you out, and what needs to come off your plate
A “power phrase” for the season: talk before you’re tired—so you don’t wait until you’re fried to bring up hard conversations
How to pick lanes and stick to them (no last-minute surprises, emotional grenades, or hour-before-the-gathering invitations)
A practical “one thing that matters most” ritual so every family member gets one prioritized experience instead of trying to do everything
Why presence matters more than performance: choosing emotional connection over Instagram-worthy perfection
The “take shifts” strategy at family gatherings so each partner gets time to actually enjoy themselves and have adult conversation
Throughout the episode, Chelsea walks you through how to use the holiday mental load template as a conversation starter with your partner—so you can name what’s on your mind, divide responsibilities, and build a holiday rhythm that feels lighter and more connected.
Free Holiday Mental Load Template / ChecklistGet your mental load out of your head and onto paper, so you two can actually divide responsibilities and plan your Holiday Huddle together.https://chelseaskaggs.kit.com/abd66c33ba👉 Book your Fewer Fights by Christmas Morning troubleshooting call.
Come hang out with us on Instagram.
Modern parenthood wasn’t meant to be a solo project, yet so many new moms and dads are trying to figure it out in isolation. We scroll, read, and listen to every parenting podcast, but at the end of the day, it still feels lonely. The truth is, no amount of information can replace the transformation that happens in community.
In this episode of the Better Relationships After Baby Podcast, Chelsea and Mike dig into the power of group connection — why real change happens faster when parents have support, accountability, and belonging.
They unpack what science and psychology show us about group learning and why joining a Mom Group or Dad Group can radically shift how couples communicate and cope in early parenthood.
Why you can’t self-help your way out of postpartum loneliness
The science of co-regulation and why community calms your nervous system
How group learning builds real-life communication skills (thanks, Bandura!)
The difference between therapy and postpartum coaching and how they work together
Why peer support and accountability make new habits stick
How virtual groups for parents create connection, even when you can’t leave the house
What happens when one partner spirals, and how community creates a ripple of healing for the whole family
Chelsea and Mike also share personal stories from their own experience running online parent groups for the past five years. From the first-time mom who finally said, “I’m not broken , I just needed other women who get it,” to the new dad who realized that he didn’t have to fix everything, just show up...these are the moments that remind us we were never meant to do this alone.
Research continues to show that new parent support groups lower rates of postpartum depression and anxiety for both mothers and partners.
Group coaching allows couples to learn and practice new skills in a safe, encouraging environment. Unlike anonymous online threads, a guided virtual group combines real relationships, evidence-based tools, and accountability that actually creates growth.
In a season where life can feel like a blur of bottles, diapers, and exhaustion, having a space that’s just for you, one that helps you regulate, reflect, and reconnect, isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.
Chelsea and Mike explain how postpartum coaching helps couples after baby rebuild their foundation. When stress runs high, our brains go into survival mode — fight, flight, or freeze. But in a group setting, you learn how to interrupt those patterns, communicate effectively, and show up as teammates instead of adversaries. It’s where you can practice the conversations you’ve been avoiding, get feedback from peers who are in the same season, and walk away with language you can use that same night at home.
If you’ve ever ended the day back-to-back with your partner, each on your phones, wondering why connection feels so hard, then this episode is for you. Whether you’re an expecting couple, new parents in the thick of it, or a few years in and still trying to find your rhythm, community is the missing piece most families are craving.
Chelsea and Mike’s Mom Group (Mondays at 7PM ET) and Dad Group (Tuesdays at 7PM ET) are small, virtual groups designed for real-life parents who want practical tools, a sense of belonging, and conversations that go deeper than social media highlight reels.
Week One is free so there's no pressure, no performance, just a chance to see what it feels like to be part of a community built around growth and honesty.
Tune in and learn why the future of strong families starts with strong communities.
Questions? Email us chelsea@postpartumtogether.com
online parent group | mom group | dad group | new parent support group | virtual parent group | postpartum coaching | couples after baby | postpartum relationship coaching | parenting after baby | online parenting community | group coaching for parents | postpartum connection | support for new dads | support for new moms
When a new baby arrives, the whole family’s nervous system changes. In this episode, we’re talking about what helps families thrive in the postpartum season, especially how dads and partners can become the steady, emotionally present anchor their home needs.
We break down:
What it means to be anchored, not stoic (emotional presence vs. emotional shutdown)
Why nervous system regulation and co-regulation are game-changers for moms, dads, and babies
Two practical breathing tools (Wim Hof method + 4-2-6-2 pattern) that calm your body fast
How to create a “commute reset” to shift from work mode to family mode
Micro-scripts for staying connected instead of defensive in tough moments
The link between emotionally present partners and lower postpartum depression rates
This conversation is for dads, partners, and anyone who wants to understand how emotional steadiness and nervous system awareness can transform postpartum relationships.
Stay to the end for a short behind-the-scenes chat about how parenting, research, and humanity are evolving (and why this generation of parents has the tools to do it differently.)
Resources mentioned:
• DadVantage small group for dads
• Previous episodes on co-regulation & nervous system work
postpartum dads | postpartum relationships | emotional regulation | nervous system | co-regulation | anchored presence | steady partner | postpartum marriage | new parents | fatherhood | emotional connection | postpartum support | relationship after baby | breathing exercises | Wim Hof method | nervous system reset | mindful parenting | present father | postpartum mental health | mom and dad teamwork | emotional awareness | postpartum communication | gentle fatherhood | modern dad | postpartum coach | relationship coaching | family nervous system | calm parenting | parenting after baby | postpartum tips
We're pulling back the curtain. This is our real planning convo on how we align language, debate “steady vs. stoic,” and map the tools before we get into a weekly podcast episode. It’s messy, honest, and meant to bring you right in the room with us.
This isn’t a polished episode; it’s the actual conversation we had to plan Tuesday’s show. We hash out what “steadiness” really means (not robotic, not shut down), talk nervous system regulation and “anchored presence,” and decide how to communicate it so both partners feel seen. You’ll hear how we align language, challenge each other’s angles, and turn lived moments into something you can try at home.
If you love the raw, unfiltered build-up before the mic goes live, tell us...should we do more Behind the Scenes?
Drop a quick DM or reply with your favorite takeaway.
emotional steadiness
emotional regulation
anchored presence
nervous system regulation
masculine presence
calm communication
staying grounded
relationship after baby
emotional connection in marriage
post-baby partnership
choose it until you become it
calm, curious, connected
personal growth for dads
healing religious trauma
mindset shift
embodied communication
steadiness vs. stoicism
how to stay calm in conflict
how to be emotionally steady
masculine steadiness vs stoicism
how to regulate your nervous system in relationships
nervous system and marriage
becoming an anchored partner
communication tools for couples
how to show up steady for your partner
In this solo episode, Mike Skaggs — co-founder of Postpartum Together — speaks directly to the men stepping into fatherhood, partnership, and purpose in a changing world.
He shares a vision for a new kind of manhood—one built not on control or performance, but on presence, steadiness, and love. Drawing from his own experience in the NICU with his daughter, Mike reflects on what it means to protect through presence, to lead through calm, and to anchor your family through the chaos of postpartum life.
This episode explores nervous system regulation, emotional safety, and how men can practice the strength that steadies everything else. Because your family doesn’t need a perfect man—they need a present one.
Learn about working with Mike + Chelsea:
Book a free connection call with us
modern fatherhood
postpartum dad support
nervous system regulation for men
emotional safety in relationships
fatherhood mindset
redefining masculinity
men’s mental health postpartum
coregulation in relationships
steady partner after baby
new kind of manhood
how to be a present dad
mindful fatherhood
🔍 SEO Keywords
Early parenthood can fry your nervous system.
Hello overstimulation, zero bandwidth, and snapping at your partner or kids.
In this conversation, Chelsea and parent coach Manu Brune break down what co-regulation actually looks like between partners and with your baby, and how small, body-based tools help you move from survival mode to a livable rhythm.
We name the signs of dysregulation (short fuse, shutdown, spirals), why routines can help or hurt, and how to use simple anchors—breath, movement, flexible rituals—to bring your system back online. We also talk about the pressure to do it all, and why community lets you “borrow calm” when yours is gone.
If you’ve thought, “I should be handling this better,” this episode shows you how to build capacity instead of guilt.
More about Manu and Beyond Birth Basics:
Insta: Beyond Birth Basics: Parenting Reimagined (@beyondbirthbasics) • Instagram photos and videos
Website:Beyond Birth Basics | Coaching in Columbus, OH
Preorder her book: Book | Beyond Birth Basics
Work with Postpartum Together:
Insta:Chelsea Skaggs || Relationship Coach for Parents (@postpartumtogether) • Instagram photos and videos
Current Offerings:Chelsea Skaggs Coaching
Book a free connection call : Calendly
nervous system regulation
co-regulation
coregulation in relationships
dysregulation after baby
postpartum nervous system
overstimulation mom
snapping at your partner
yelling at your kids
survival mode parenting
parent burnout
postpartum anxiety
emotional regulation for parents
nervous system support for new parents
nervous system reset
nervous system healing after birth
relationship after baby
teamwork in parenthood
emotional safety in relationships
calm communication in marriage
rebuilding connection after baby
parenting rhythm not routine
flexible family routines
grounding exercises for parents
mindfulness for moms and dads
capacity not perfection
borrowing calm
modern parenting pressure
regulating together
early parenthood overwhelm
postpartum mental health
Becoming a dad after a baby arrives can shake a man to his core. In this episode, Mike opens up to share fears, emotions, and invisible battles many fathers face in the postpartum season. From feeling like they’re on the outside looking in, to wondering if they’re enough, we unpack what’s really going on behind the quiet moments and unspoken worries.
We explore why presence matters more than perfection, how provision without connection can feel like absence, and what it looks like for dads to build their own parenting playbook. Whether you’re a new father, a partner trying to understand him, or someone supporting a growing family, this conversation will give you insight into the emotional landscape of modern fatherhood and how dads can thrive, not just survive, in this new role.
Listen if you’ve ever wondered:
Why dads often feel disconnected after a baby
How to bridge emotional gaps between partners
What it takes to feel confident as a new father
Why being present matters more than doing it all
If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything you can for your family but still wondering if it’s enough, you’re not alone.
A quick connection call can help you figure out what’s really going on under the surface and how to start feeling like a team again.
Book your free call here, and let’s talk about what support could look like for you two.
Keywords: fatherhood, postpartum, emotional connection, presence, family dynamics, inadequacy, parenting challenges, support for dads, mental load, parenting playbook
In this second part of The Stories We Tell Ourselves series, Chelsea and Mike get into how the stories we carry in early parenthood shape connection, intimacy, and identity.
They unpack why emotional disconnection and constant stress make couples feel distant, how to rebuild psychological safety, and why nervous-system regulation is key to closeness.
You’ll learn:
How to externalize negative stories and stop the spiral of resentment
What “matrescence” and “patrescence” really mean for your identity as parents
Why emotional safety is the foundation for physical intimacy after a baby
Practical ways to reconnect and repair when you’re both running on empty
Whether you’re feeling stuck in survival mode or missing the spark in your marriage, this episode offers real talk and practical tools to help you feel like a team again.
Keywords: emotional disconnection after baby, intimacy after baby, postpartum marriage help, matrescence, new parent identity, nervous system regulation, relationship coaching, postpartum relationship advice
Mentioned past episodes and links:
Regulation and the Nervous System
Emotional or Physical Connection, Which Comes First?
Book a connection call with us here to learn more about how we support pregnant, postpartum, and current parents in their relationships.