Under the Influence with Jo Piazza

The Myth of the Good Mother

Jan 23, 2025

Join Nancy Reddy, author of "The Good Mother Myth", as she shatters the unrealistic expectations surrounding motherhood. She candidly discusses how the 'good mother' myth leads to guilt and shame for many women. Tune in for insights on the impact of social media on motherhood, the importance of community support, and redefined parenting roles. Reddy advocates for shared responsibilities and authentic connections over superficial ideals, emphasizing that a more communal approach can transform the parenting experience.

49:16

Episode guests

Nancy Reddy

AI Summary

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Episode notes

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

The myth of the 'good mother' creates harmful societal pressures that lead many women to feel inadequate and guilty about their parenting choices.

Emphasizing community support and shared parenting responsibilities can transform the motherhood experience into one of joy rather than perfectionism.

Deep dives

Redefining the Good Mother

The concept of a 'good mother' is explored, highlighting its unrealistic nature. Many mothers feel immense pressure to meet an idealized standard shaped by societal expectations and social media portrayals. This perception often leads to feelings of inadequacy, as mothers compare themselves to curated images of perfection online. Ultimately, these standards are termed a modern construct that fails to consider the complexities of motherhood and the genuine experiences of mothers.

Intro

2min

The Myth of the Good Mother: Debunking Societal Expectations

4min

The Realities of Motherhood

8min

Unrealistic Expectations in Motherhood

6min

Challenging Motherhood Myths

11min

Building Community and Challenging Motherhood Ideals

4min

Redefining Parenting Roles

12min

Redefining Masculinity and Motherhood

2min

The myth of the good mother in absolute BS and it has pushed too many women into spirals of shame and guilt for not being "enough." Today we are debunking all of the pseudo science, flawed studies and media archetypes that contributed to the myth of the good mother so that we can talk about the reality of being a mom. Our guest is Nancy Reddy, author of The Good Mother Myth. The conversation also dives into practical steps for sharing domestic responsibilities and fostering more genuine, joyful parenting experiences.

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