
The Sisterhood Blog.
Where Mental Health Support Meets the Perinatal Village — Across Seattle, Kitsap & Washington State.
Welcome to The Sisterhood Blog, our therapist-created resource for moms navigating the complex and often invisible parts of modern motherhood — plus everything you need to know about the local village that helps.
The Sisterhood Blog includes:
Therapist-written articles by Dr. Julie Franks, DSW, LICSW, on mom’s mental health — including postpartum anxiety, burnout, boundaries, and the emotional labor of early motherhood
First-hand interviews with the incredible doulas, lactation consultants, sleep coaches, and other perinatal professionals serving families across Seattle, Kitsap, and Washington State
Real Providers. Real Stories. Real Support for Washington Moms.
Because no mom should have to navigate this alone.

How to Calm Down Fast When You’re a Stressed-Out Mom
Are you struggling when the stress hits? Learn how to calm down quickly & effectively using this the simple “1-2-3, Brand New Me" technique. It’s perfect for busy moms who need a simple way to reduce stress and improve well-being in less than 60-seconds.

Curate Your Social Media Feed: 10 Instagram Accounts to Support Your Motherhood Journey
There are many upsides to social media use for moms, but only when the social media accounts you’re following don’t make your mom stress and anxiety worse. Learning to “curate your feed” with supportive and qualified mom influencers who align with your parenting values and improve your mom community. Plus, get Dr. Julie’s recommended list of the 10 Instagram accounts every pregnant woman or new mom needs to follow.

Feeling Touched Out? Here’s Why So Many Moms Don’t Want Sex Postpartum
Many moms feel touched out and not ready for intimacy after having a baby. This post explores how to talk about it with your partner—and what to do when you're not on the same page.

How to Find the Right Therapist for New Moms (Questions to Ask + Where to Start)
Feeling overwhelmed as a new mom? Learn how to find a therapist who truly gets it—from postpartum anxiety to burnout—with questions to ask and tips tailored for moms in Washington State.

Lifestyle Changes to Lower Mom Anxiety: What Every Overwhelmed Mom Needs to Know
Anxiety isn’t just a personal issue - it’s also about lifestyle. Lifestyle changes are essential to manage anxiety in moms. Learn the lifestyle factors that make mom anxiety worse, why moms don't consider lifestyle changes, and how to make sustainable changes to reduce mom anxiety.

5 Helpful Affirmations for Anxious Moms
Learn how to create a positive mindset with these five helpful affirmations that are just for anxious moms. Find out how easy it is to get started with empowering affirmations that will help you feel more confident and capable in every part of your life.

Reduce Mom Stress - 20 Benefits of Starting a Gratitude List
Starting a gratitude list helps mothers reduce stress and cultivate a positive outlook. Learn the 20 unbelievable benefits of a gratitude practice and how to start your own list today!

Don't Tell a Mom to "Just" Take a Break: Understanding the Challenges of Alone Time
Don't tell a mom to "just" take a break: why this advice feels hurtful; the challenges of finding time away as a parent; simple ways to care for yourself without an extended break from your kids. Get tips and solutions here.

7 Completely BS Judgments that Hurt New Moms
As a new mom, you get bombarded with judgmental feedback about the way you care for your child. It seems like someone ALWAYS has something unhelpful & hurtful to say. Here’s my list of the 7 BS judgments that hurt moms most and what you can do about it. .

It’s Ok if You Don’t “enjoy every moment” with Your Child
“Enjoying every moment” of motherhood is NOT a thing, but it’s common advice that hurts moms in a multitude of ways. It is very normal to have stages & phases of motherhood that you do not enjoy - and it DOESN’T mean that you’re doing it wrong.

January Journal Challenge for Moms: Pause & Reflect
It’s all too easy to get caught up in the stress & overwhelm of mom life. Sometimes, we forget to pause, reflect, and take notice of the ways we care we need for ourselves. My free 30 Day Journal Challenge for Moms is a simple and effective way to start your new year with a journal practice that will transform your self-care practice.

Why Letting Go of Perfectionism as a Mom Is So Important
As a mom, there’s an unrealistic expectation to be perfect 24/7. Letting go of perfectionism is one of the best things you can do for yourself and your kids!

The 21-Day Anxiety Reset for Busy & Stressed Out Moms
The 21 Day Anxiety Reset is designed for busy, full plate moms who need lasting stress & anxiety relief but don’t have the bandwidth for a major time commitment or elaborate coping strategies. Every technique in the 21-Day Anxiety Reset is designed to fit right into your everyday routine without a major time investment. And the best part? The skills and habits really work!

Top Tips for Navigating the Stress Around Holiday Gatherings with a Food Allergy Toddler
Having a food allergy toddler adds a whole new level of stress and worry to the many food-forward gatherings during each holiday season. Learn to navigate holiday invitations, create allergy safe environments, and determine if your attendance makes sense during the toddler years.

Is Mom Anxiety Keeping You Up at Night? Tips for Coping with Anxiety-Induced Insomnia.
If your lack of sleep goes above and beyond waking up to care for your child overnight, you may be experiencing anxiety-induced insomnia. Read for tips that help you manage your mom anxiety during the day so you can get more restful sleep at night.

Micro-dosing with Self Care: An Absolute Lifeline for Busy Moms
As moms, we don’t have time for elaborate self care activities, but we also need to find ways to fit this essential part of taking care of ourselves into our everyday lives. Enter the power of micro-dosing with self-care, a little known yet effective strategy for full plate moms.

How to Communicate Your Family’s Changing Needs at the Holidays
Do you need to spend your holiday differently this year because your family has changed or grown? Use this simple guide to communicating boundaries and making your family’s needs at the holidays known.

Parenting is Hard: Tips for Managing the Unsolicited Advice as a New Mom
As moms, we can’t leave the house without being bombarded with unsolicited advice about the ways we care for ourselves and our children. And this advice hurts moms in ways that might surprise you. Here’s your guide to dealing with the advice no matter where it comes from (scripts included!).

Finding Community As a New Mom: Building Support When Motherhood Feels Hard
Finding your village in motherhood is one of the best things you can do for your wellbeing Yet so many moms resist the village and the support the village offers. Why is that and how does it make mom life more difficult?

It's Ok to Ask For Help, Mama: Here’s How to Do It
If no one told you, it's ok to ask for help! The demands of motherhood can get overwhelming, and sometimes you just need to ask for help, here’s how to do it.
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