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I'm trying to read the book "Mother Nurture" (If only my mommy brain would let me concentrate for more than a few minutes at a time I would have finished it long ago!) by Rick Hanson. They have a great survey about the risk factors that moms (but I'm adding dads to this list) have for feeling depleted and hence not being the parent/person that they want to be. I thought I'd type up the list here for anyone to evaluate themselves and their risk for burnout/depletion.
You can, of course keepy your results private, btw..
High Demands on You
Physical
Child-Related
Associated Factors
Low Resources Coming To You
Physical
Psychological
Interpersonal
Personal Vulnerabilities
Prior to Pregnancy with First Child
During any pregnancy carried to term
Since Children
5 or fewer factors suggest low risk, six to fifteen factors suggest moderate risk and sixteen or more factors suggest a high risk.
You can, of course keepy your results private, btw..
High Demands on You
Physical
- Have had two or more children
Less than eighteen months' spacing between any two children
Breast-fed one or more children over eighteen months
Breast-fed one or more children over eighteen months
Breast-fed during pregnancy, or two children during the same period
Became pregnant and carried to term les than three months after weaning
Disturbed sleep over the past three months or averaged less than seven hours per day during that period.
Child-Related
- Currently caring for a child under three years of age
Care for a child eight or more hours a day
Have a child with a challenging temperament
Have a child with chronic physical or psychological problems
Associated Factors
- Unreliable or mediocre child care
Care for others besides cihldren-e.g., ill spouse or parent
Returned to work twenty-plus hours per week before baby was one year old
Currently working for pay thirty plus hours per week or full-time student
Low Resources Coming To You
Physical
- During pregnancy, ate fewer than three meals per day or few fresh vegetables or little protein
Since birth of first child, nutrition has been mediocre or poor
Little use of vitamin/mineral supplements
Little or no exercise
Psychological
- Little time for breaks
Little use of stres relief techniques: progressive relaxation or meditation
Do few personal enjoyments or pleasures
Little or no spiritual or religious orientation
Interpersonal
- Single parent
Partner travels frequently (or think "call")
Low sense of teamwork or cooperation with partner
Partner does little child rearing or housework during evenings or weekends
Low sense of emotional intimacy with a partner
Little affection or sexuality with a partner
Little tangible support from relatives
Little sense of connection with other mothers
Little sense of connection with community institutions supportive of families (ie Moms Club)
Personal Vulnerabilities
Prior to Pregnancy with First Child
- Extensive dieting or eating disorder
Generally mediocre or poor nutrition
Little use of vitamin/mineral supplements
Significant exposure to toxic chemicals
Hormone problems...eg. thyroid, diabetes, PMS
Gastrointestinal problesm...eg. irritable bowel syndrome, ulcer
Immune system problems...e.g. sever allergies, asthma, arthritis, lupus
Significant depression or anxiety
Family history of hormone, gastrointestinal, immune or reproductive problems
Family history of psychological problems
Highly sensitive, anxious or rigid temperament
During any pregnancy carried to term
- Complications such as preeclampsia or toxemia
Serious obstetric complications
Since Children
- One or more children born when mother was thirty-plus years old
One or more episodes of postpartum depression
Regular use of tobacco
Alcohol abuse
Drug abuse
Significantly overweight
5 or fewer factors suggest low risk, six to fifteen factors suggest moderate risk and sixteen or more factors suggest a high risk.
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