Bonds after Baby: Rebuild your marriage, reduce postpartum resentment & guard maternal mental health

Evie Mpras, MS, LMFT
  • 5.0 (33)
  • Parenting
  • Updated Weekly

You’ve started a family and you’re tired of facing conflict with your partner and loved ones. For the sake of you and your family you want to experience more support and connection. You’ve prepared in so many ways- the supplies, the toys, etc; and despite the fact that you’re doing all the things expected of you, you’re not enjoying enough of the loving connection you hoped for during this special time in your family. You’re sometimes feeling judged and misunderstood. Mom, I’m here to tell you that transitioning to parenthood sets relationships up to struggle. You aren’t alone! The problem is that most resources for Moms doesn’t address the power of healing family relationships. They don’t address how Moms and families can achieve relief much faster by improving connection. But we’re going to change that! Hi. I’m Evie. I’m a mom of two, wife, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and fierce advocate of healthy family functioning. Everyone deserves peace and connection. Moms need more than individual survival tips & our kids need more than activities and toys. When couple relationships & family relationships improve, Moms (and everyone) enjoy more connection, more love, more support. That’s the kind of family dynamic we want to welcome our babies into. Marriage after baby is hard and marriage problems after baby are the norm. I’ve seen too many couples and families regret how much they fought and how lonely they felt, during what could have been a joyous time of bonding. Research and my clinical experience clearly shows that the healthier relationships are, the less anxiety, depression, & struggles parents and children experience. Having a baby is a FAMILY matter, not an individual matter. After helping countless moms, couples, and families start deeply connecting, I’ve learned what patterns hurt relationships and what makes things better. And I’m going to share my knowledge with you! Welcome to the Bonds after Baby podcast. Here you’ll get weekly support and coaching from me- This is going to be a place where you’re struggles will be understood, where you’ll get clarity on why it’s so hard, and receive actionable tips on how to get things to a better place. You can also listen with your partner, mother, mother-in-law, aunt- anyone who wants to learn with you! So grab your headphones and join me here- it’s time for you to enjoy more connection and less conflict during this special time in your family’s life. Want all the resources at your fingertips? I’ll be offering freebie goodies and coaching packages in the near future. Sign up for my email list at www.bondsafterbaby.com to get the goods.

  1. Jun 5

    LGBTQ Parenting & LGBTQ Couple Relationships Postpartum: A Conversation with SC Nealy

    In this episode, we discuss how queer couples navigate emotional regulation, family dynamics, and relationship conflict after baby arrives. I'm thrilled to be joined by SC Nealy, LPC to discuss the challenges and points of resilience for LGBTQ couples in the transition to parenthood. We cover: the emotional experience of birth and non-birth partners/non-gestational partnersfacing societal expectationsthe importance of parenting support & and relational connection during early parenthood.the effects of extended family relationships & building community We also spend some time learning about SC Nealy's latest book on religious trauma Healing Sacred Wounds that will be released in August! Whether you’re navigating queer parenthood, postpartum recovery, emotional distance, or the challenges of building a strong parenting team, this conversation offers compassionate relationship advice and support for LGBTQ+ families adjusting to life after baby. SC Nealy is a therapist, author, and LGBTQ+ advocate. They specialize in trauma/religious trauma, complex PTSD, LGBTQIA+ issues, and couples and family therapy. Outside of their work, SC identifies as gender fluid and queer/lesbian. They’re a parent of three, co-parenting with their wife and ex-husband. Nealy's latest book Healing Sacred Wounds is available for pre-order now! Sometimes these discussions require extra support from a professional. Connect with me to learn about how I can support you and your couple relationship: Website Offers @bondsafterbaby This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    23 min

  2. May 29

    What New Parents Should Know Before Baby: Mindset Shifts, Marriage Tips & the Postpartum Transition

    Preparing for baby is more than cribs, wallpaper, and diapers. Postpartum anxiety, postpartum depression, and marriage conflict can be significantly lessened if couples have awareness and realistic expectations on early parenthood. You shouldn't be blindsided in the transition to parenting and growing your family. Today I'm joined by Anastasia Voron, LMHC, to discuss what new parents should know before bringing home baby. Anastasia is a Maternal Mental Health Therapist, who is launching the motherhood center Doma on June 13th. Doma integrates multi component care for new mothers. She is also mom to a 2 year old daughter. Whether you are in the pregnancy stage or post-birth, we get into topics that are always valuable and helpful to consider: realistic expectations of self and othercouple communicationPMADS (postpartum mood disorders) and Matrescence (hormones, brain changes, body changes, healing journey)role changesextended family dynamicscommunication toolsBuilding up outside support systems Whether you are preparing for your baby, navigating the postpartum relationship, or wanting better parenting support and marriage support, this episode offers grounded advice and practical tools from two therapists to help you move from survival mode towards grace, family connection, and a healthier couple bond through the realities of motherhood and parenting. Follow updates for the launch of Doma on Anastasia's IG. Sometimes these discussions require extra support from a professional. Connect with me to learn about how I can support you and your couple relationship: Website Offers @bondsafterbaby This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    36 min

  3. May 15

    Division of Labor: Tips for New Parents to Reduce the Invisible Load & Reduce Resentment in Marriage

    Division of labor is a hot potato for couples, especially new parents in survival mode. When every discussion turns to frustration- or when conversations get avoided, resentment in marriage, relationship burnout , and relationship conflict grows. Reducing stress around household chores can also help reduce postpartum anxiety and postpartum depression. In this episode, MJ Harford and I concrete tips for parents to navigate coming together as a team in ways that make these conversations productive instead of frustrating. MJ is a therapist serving individual clients in Virginia & DC, specializing in maternal mental health. She is also the founder of Resilient Returns, where she helps working parents and businesses navigate the transition back to work after parental leave.   In last week’s episode, MJ Harford and I got into how couples and new parents can foster emotional support when returning to work after parental leave, and dealing with division of labor. Once you have that emotional support, it’s easier to have talks about mental load, invisible load, and how to share tasks.  MJ and I share how couples can make the:  invisible load visibleseparate tasks to eliminate constant delegating automate taskscreate a functional system that eliminates some of the tension and difficultymindset shifts and flexibility- and more! Below are resources and deals for the working parent: MJ’s division of labor exercise: interactive + digital workbook. All Bonds after Baby listeners can use the code BAB50 at checkout to receive 50% off their parent program purchase at Resilient Returns.  Connect with Evie and learn about ways she can support your couple relationship: Website Offers Instagram @ bondsafterbaby This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    26 min

  4. May 8

    Returning to Work after Parental Leave: Get Emotional Needs met through Spouse Support

    How can you and your spouse stay connected in the return to work after maternity leave or parental leave? Adjusting to the transition and re-navigating division of labor can bring significant tension. So how do you get emotional support and stay in each other’s corner when the mental load and invisible load is high, there are identity shifts happening, and you’re both still adjusting to marriage after baby? In this episode, MJ Harford, LPC and I discuss what emotional safety new parents can build together as a foundation to navigate issues that come up with the return to work. MJ is a therapist serving individual clients in Virginia & DC, specializing in maternal mental health. She is also the founder of Resilient Returns, where she helps working parents and businesses navigate the transition back to work after parental leave.   MJ and I share how couples can co-create emotional safety and managing emotional triggers around returning to work and division of labor so that you can navigate together without defensiveness, shutting down, and lashing out. So you guys can stay on the same team! Part 2 of our discussion next week will dive into concrete tools and approaches that can help ease the transition back to work after parental leave. Resources and deals for the working parent: MJ’s division of labor exercise: interactive + digital workbook. All Bonds after Baby listeners can use the code BAB50 at checkout to receive 50% off their parent program purchase at Resilient Returns.  Connect with Evie Website Support for Couples Instagram @bondsafterbaby This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    24 min

  5. Apr 24

    From Relationship Conflict to Emotional Intimacy in Early Parenthood: My Roadmap to Reconnect

    Early parenthood rocks relationships and can make it feel like you and your spouse are on opposing teams. Many people think postpartum struggles should be treated individually- But real, long-lasting relief comes from getting marriage support.  During a big family transition, exhaustion builds fast. You might even start keeping score without noticing. Over time, that can lead to resentment and emotional distance. This episode will talk about why most advice around postpartum adjustment focuses on the individual, when in reality, this is a “we” problem. What often shows up as personal stress is actually relationship conflict playing out in new ways. If your postpartum relationship has felt more tense than connected, this will help you understand why and show you how to move out of that pattern and back toward each other. Whether you’re facing everyday parenting challenges or just wanting stronger emotional intimacy, this conversation is here to support you. You’ll start to see how small changes can rebuild your couple bond and create the kind of marriage support that makes this season feel less heavy. You don’t have to figure this out alone. Real relationship support starts when you stop treating it like a “you” problem and begin approaching it as a shared experience. Connect with Evie WebsiteTake the first step for a healthier couple relationship by booking a free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/offersInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you! This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    17 min

  6. Apr 17

    From Flooding to Co-Regulation for Parents: How Couples Calm Each Other’s Nervous Systems

    How can you and your spouse move beyond solo self regulation to build a parenting partnership where you offer each other lifelines- even when family stress feels overwhelming?  You can both choose verbal reassurance, soft eyes and emotional safety, instead of choosing defensiveness or withdrawal. In this episode, I will walk you through how to help your partner return to a green zone by using co-regulation techniques. We cover identifying signs of distress, using a calm tone to soothe the nervous system, the importance of soft eyes and facial expressions, and choosing supportive body posture. We also discuss how physical touch can act as a grounding mechanism and why taking breaks allows for better recovery time and nervous system recovery. Parenting is hard. You both deserve help from one another, so you can be there for your children. So, if you are looking for a more peaceful household using coregulation for parents to navigate emotional contagion, this episode is not to be missed. Connect with Evie WebsiteTake the first step for a healthier couple relationship by booking a free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/offersInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedIn If you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you! This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    17 min

  7. Apr 10

    Managing Reactivity as New Parents: Nervous System Regulation and Emotional Safety

    Have you noticed how a simple request at home can quickly turn into tension or defensiveness? When you are carrying invisible labor and going through identity shifts in early parenthood, your system can feel overwhelmed. Emotional dysregulation can take over, and a small conversation can start to feel unsafe. This is common for new parents, especially with new parent anxiety and constant demands. Your body can stay in physiological arousal, which makes it harder to stay calm. These moments can also bring up attachment wounds, especially when support feels inconsistent. Today’s episode, I walk you through nervous system regulation and how to start regulating nervous system responses in real time. This begins with building body awareness so you can catch shifts into reactive behaviors. You will learn to notice externalizing behaviors (snapping) and internalizing behaviors like shutting down, both of which affect relational connection. We also talk about emotional safety and how to support it in everyday conversations. I share simple sensory grounding techniques to help you come back to the present moment, along with ways for managing emotional triggers and understanding how past patterns shape you. The goal is to help you move through tension with more awareness, so you can stay connected instead of turning against each other. I'm here for you and your family,  Evie Connect with Evie WebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedInIf you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you! This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    17 min

  8. Apr 3

    From Marriage Conflict to Shared Ownership: Fixing Division of Labor as New Parents

    Are you finding yourself walking on eggshells when asking for help at home? Do simple requests turn into tension or defensiveness? For many couples, conversations about division of labor quickly stop being about chores and start feeling personal. This often intensifies for new parents. When both partners are stretched thin, even small requests can trigger bigger reactions. This is especially true for tired moms, nursing mothers, and overwhelmed mothers carrying both visible tasks and the mental load. There is a way to move out of this cycle and work as a team again. In this episode, I explain why these conversations feel so difficult and why the real block is often defensiveness, not logistics. We look at how invisible labor builds pressure and how deeper relationship triggers from the past can surface in everyday moments. I also share a real example of how a simple request can activate an old wound. This centers on emotional regulation and how to approach these conversations in a way that lowers threat and supports shared ownership. You will hear practical ways to communicate needs clearly, make invisible labor visible, and notice the patterns that keep new dads and exhausted parents stuck in cycles of avoidance or marriage conflict. We also touch on why reciprocal effort matters, especially for young families adjusting to this stage of life. The point is not to make every discussion easy. It is to help both partners move through tension without turning each other into the problem. I'm here for you and your family,  Evie Connect with Evie WebsiteTake the first step today and book your free initial consultation at https://bondsafterbaby.com/contactInstagram: @bondsafterbabyLinkedIn If you want to start a podcast or grow your existing one, visit https://julianabarbati.com/ and let them know I sent you! This Podcast is not an alternative for mental health assistance and/or counseling with a licensed professional. For any specific medical questions about your condition and/or concerns, please contact your healthcare provider. This Podcast should not be considered mental health advice, rather for the sole purpose of information and education.

    22 min
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5
out of 5
33 Ratings

About

You’ve started a family and you’re tired of facing conflict with your partner and loved ones. For the sake of you and your family you want to experience more support and connection. You’ve prepared in so many ways- the supplies, the toys, etc; and despite the fact that you’re doing all the things expected of you, you’re not enjoying enough of the loving connection you hoped for during this special time in your family. You’re sometimes feeling judged and misunderstood. Mom, I’m here to tell you that transitioning to parenthood sets relationships up to struggle. You aren’t alone! The problem is that most resources for Moms doesn’t address the power of healing family relationships. They don’t address how Moms and families can achieve relief much faster by improving connection. But we’re going to change that! Hi. I’m Evie. I’m a mom of two, wife, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, and fierce advocate of healthy family functioning. Everyone deserves peace and connection. Moms need more than individual survival tips & our kids need more than activities and toys. When couple relationships & family relationships improve, Moms (and everyone) enjoy more connection, more love, more support. That’s the kind of family dynamic we want to welcome our babies into. Marriage after baby is hard and marriage problems after baby are the norm. I’ve seen too many couples and families regret how much they fought and how lonely they felt, during what could have been a joyous time of bonding. Research and my clinical experience clearly shows that the healthier relationships are, the less anxiety, depression, & struggles parents and children experience. Having a baby is a FAMILY matter, not an individual matter. After helping countless moms, couples, and families start deeply connecting, I’ve learned what patterns hurt relationships and what makes things better. And I’m going to share my knowledge with you! Welcome to the Bonds after Baby podcast. Here you’ll get weekly support and coaching from me- This is going to be a place where you’re struggles will be understood, where you’ll get clarity on why it’s so hard, and receive actionable tips on how to get things to a better place. You can also listen with your partner, mother, mother-in-law, aunt- anyone who wants to learn with you! So grab your headphones and join me here- it’s time for you to enjoy more connection and less conflict during this special time in your family’s life. Want all the resources at your fingertips? I’ll be offering freebie goodies and coaching packages in the near future. Sign up for my email list at www.bondsafterbaby.com to get the goods.

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