Caution: Infodump Ahead!

((Click blue links for sources)) Depression is one of the worst states the human mind can endure.  Anyone who's been depressed will easily recognize the symptoms:  low mood, lack of enjoyment in things they once loved, tiredness/exhaustion, slowed thinking, feelings of emptiness, worthlessness, despair & hopelessness.   But what about depression's flipside:   mania ?  Mania is a unique state that only occurs in bipolar disorder & can be harder to recognize, often being mischaracterized as other things.  Worse, doctors often miss it because patients rarely come to them for help when they're manic or in a neutral state, and the term "mania" itself can be misleading.  It's not always a euphoric state where you're having million brilliant ideas or running around at 2x speed like characters in a silent film.  At its core,  mania is when   your mind is going too fast .  This can manifest as  racing thoughts, anxiety, ins...

Healthy interpersonal boundaries are critical for obtaining respect at your job, in romantic relationships, friendships & with anyone you interact with.  But when it comes to keeping yourself and your baby safe, they are absolutely non-negotiable.  The earlier in a relationship you can set boundaries with a person, the easier it will be because they haven't lost respect for you or begun to take you for granted yet.  But it's never too late to start and today is better than tomorrow. At some point, one or both of you will likely start dating or even marry another person who will then be spending time around your child.  We'll cross that bridge when we get to it, but for now let's talk basics.  BOUNDARIES. Here are some quick tips for setting strong boundaries while still being fair & kind as a co-parent:   - Set out your expectations/needs clearly & then don't change them unexpectedly or accept last-minute changes from him except in extremel...

Again, you.   🤣 (Click blue words for further info & sources) A child's IQ potential is inherited from the mother but whether they reach their full potential depends entirely on their environment, both in the womb and in the first 3-5 years of life.  What happens to a child in this time can mean the difference between being a borderline gifted genius or a child with learning disabilities & severe behavioral problems.  Severe emotional neglect, malnutrition, head trauma, heavy metal toxicity & a lack of eye contact/verbal communication before age 3 can cause setbacks that last a lifetime.  (Milder degrees of these things cause less serious but still significant outcomes).   Luckily these awful fates are easily prevented with a little knowledge & planning.  The brain grows faster & larger in the 1st three years of life than at any other time, thus this period sets the stage for everything that will follow, from academic achievement ...