Strive for Balance in Personal and Family Life

It is easier to be emotionally responsive when you feel in balance. Create a support network, set realistic goals, put people before things, and don't be afraid to say "no". Recognize individual needs within the family and meet them to the greatest extent possible without compromising your physical and emotional health. Be creative, have fun with parenting, and take time to care for yourself.

Journal Studies

Blogging, but not social networking, fulfilled a means of social support to new mothers, providing feelings of connectedness and well-being.

Social support was associated with a new mother’s confidence, which was further related to less postpartum depression.

Personal health was associated with social support, which included relationships with family and friends as well as volunteer opportunities.

Parenting style determined mothers' midlife life satisfaction while mothers' work roles did not, and authoritative parenting styles were directly linked to midlife happiness.

More research is needed to explore brain plasticity in response to social influences. What is known is that stress affects humans and animals similarly in changing the activation and physical structure of different parts of the brain. It also appears that positive emotional qualities can be acquired through training of the mind.