Do you ever say to yourself “shouldn’t I be happy? it’s the summer!”

Yes, there are many ways that summer is portrayed as the season when life feel lighter and more free. But for an anxious mom with a new baby, you may not be experiencing that summertime bliss.

You might feel like something is wrong with you if you’re finding that your postpartum anxiety (PPA) is actually worse in the summer.

Is there something wrong? No.

As a maternal mental health therapist, I often see postpartum anxiety intensify during the summer months. It’s not because you’re doing something wrong, but because the season asks something different of your nervous system.

Every July, Minority Mental Health Awareness Month shines a much-needed light on disparities in mental health care.

That’s important.

Because for too long, conversations about mental health have overlooked the experiences of people from marginalized communities—particularly Black mothers, who continue to experience significant disparities in maternal health outcomes and often face barriers to receiving compassionate, culturally responsive mental health care.

The increased awareness matters.

But awareness alone isn’t enough.

“Everyone keeps asking when they’re finally going to meet the baby… so why am I dreading going?”

If you’ve recently had a baby, you may have noticed something confusing.

You used to enjoy family gatherings.

Now, even the thought of packing up your baby for a birthday party, holiday, family barbecue, or cookout makes your stomach tighten.

You replay every possible scenario in your mind.

Will the baby nap?

What if they cry the entire time?

What if someone wants to hold them and I don’t want them to?

What if they get overstimulated?

What if everyone thinks I’m being overprotective?

Then you catch yourself wondering…

“Why is this so hard for me?”

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

As a maternal mental health therapist, I hear this from new moms all the time.

When most mothers start working on their anger, they hope for one thing:

To stop feeling so angry.

They want fewer outbursts.

Less irritability.

More patience.

More calm.

And while those things are absolutely possible, there's a lot about healing from mom rage that doesn't get talked about.

Social media often makes healing look quick and straightforward. Follow these tips. Regulate your nervous system. Practice self-care. Set boundaries.

Problem solved.

In reality, healing from mom rage is often much more complex—and much more human.

Here are six things nobody tells you about the healing process.

Every new parent worries.

You check to make sure your baby is breathing.

You wonder if they're eating enough.

You second-guess decisions and Google things at 2 a.m.

Some worry is a normal part of caring deeply about your child.

But many mothers find themselves wondering:

"How do I know if this is normal new mom worry or postpartum anxiety?"

It's an important question because postpartum anxiety is one of the most common maternal mental health challenges—and it's often overlooked.

Many moms assume they're simply being cautious, responsible, or attentive when, in reality, anxiety has quietly taken over much more space than they realize.

Here are seven signs that what you're experiencing may be postpartum anxiety rather than typical new-parent concerns.

You expected motherhood to change your life.

You may not have expected it to change you.

Many mothers are surprised by how intensely pregnancy, birth, and parenthood impact their emotional well-being. Maybe you've noticed your anxiety feels worse than it used to. Maybe you're snapping more easily, feeling overwhelmed by everyday responsibilities, or finding yourself unexpectedly triggered by situations that never bothered you before.

You might even wonder:

"Why is this happening now?"

The truth is that becoming a mother is one of the biggest life transitions a person can experience. And major life transitions often have a way of bringing old wounds, fears, stressors, and unresolved experiences to the surface.

That doesn't mean something is wrong with you.

It means you're human.