The Postpartum Appraisal delves into the dark themes of Disney's 'The Little Mermaid,' exploring the severe family dysfunction, manipulation, and Disney-fication. It examines King Triton's parenting as a domestic police state and the technical craft of the film's animation. The discussion contrasts the original fairy tale with Disney's adaptation, highlighting the cautionary nature of the original story.

!!!! CONTENT WARNING !!!!

This episode explores the heavy themes of drug addiction, depression, and mental health struggles. If you or someone else you know is struggling with drug or alcohol addiction and you'd like to get help, please contact one of these hotlines. I know a hotline is a shot in the dark, but even a tiny step is a step.

SAMSA

1-800-662-HELP (You can also text 988)

This movie is all about the complex themes of parenting and addiction, exploring the tension between safety and autonomy, the impact of substance abuse on parenting, the brutal reality of addiction, the agonizing parental dilemma, the relentless cycle of addiction, the endurance of a father's love, and the haunting bystander perspective. The conversation delves into the themes of parental powerlessness and the new horror of parenting. It explores the bystander perspective, the transition from nurturer to warden, the ultimate parental sacrifice, and the crushing realization that even the most informed and attentive parents can still face devastating outcomes. The discussion provides a deep and insightful exploration of the challenges and fears faced by parents in the modern world.

Watching The Babadook through the lens of postpartum anxiety, I realize, it’s not just about a spooky story. It’s about how our brains become a battleground where intrusive thoughts cling like parasites, especially when motherhood pushes the limits of survival. That red pop-up book? It’s not just a creepy prop, it’s maternal intrusive thoughts personified, taping themselves back together every night, whispering the worst-case scenarios in the silence. The film shows us that you can drown the anxiety or burn the thoughts, but they’ll come back. The real danger? Thinking you can just delete the monster. You can’t. You learn to contain it, feed it just enough, and keep the basement door locked. That’s the brutal, honest truth of postpartum trauma. Still figuring out how to build my cage. How about you?