Michelle1 never experienced judgement from other mums and freely shared her experiences.

Transcript

I haven’t encountered judgmentalism or sort of super mommies. No, I haven’t – what was hard for me about being around other moms was seeing – when I was sick and they were well, was sort of seeing the bonds they had with their children, how much they were loving motherhood, how much they were enjoying things. So, that was more difficult for me. I’ve never experienced judgmental behaviour from other moms and I haven’t hidden my PPD. Maybe sometimes I haven’t brought it up but the moms I’m closer with I haven’t not mentioned it because I don’t think it’s something to be ashamed of.

Interviewer: How did they respond when you shared that information?

I mean they didn’t respond really one way or another. They didn’t say oh my god, that was terrible or, you know, oh you’re crazy, go away. It was neither that. Like I said seeing other moms was difficult for me so I mentioned to my counsellor that I was, and when I say counsellor I’m seeing the woman that runs the drop-in group, the registered social worker for one on one counselling, which is free through the city. I was telling her, I was telling the counsellor that I would see these other moms walking down the street with their babies and their strollers and they looked so happy and they looked so put together and here I am like barely keeping it together. And she said, “you know what Michelle? They’re probably looking at you and saying the exact same thing.” And I said oh yeah, you’re probably right, you’re probably right ’cause everybody tries to keep up appearances. I found some solace in the community of other moms. I never pretended to be who I’m not and when I’m well I’m a very sort of outspoken, confrontational person. So, I had, you know, things ready to say about anybody who would mention, you know, I’m giving my son formula as opposed to breastfeeding him.

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