117. When a Mother Reclaims her Space: Tehla's Story and a Permission to Pause

In this episode, I speak with mother of two and writer Tehla Bower about her book, "A Mother's Space: Permission to Pause." Tehla candidly shares her experience of disconnection after becoming a mother and her journey to shed both external and internal expectations, ultimately drawing on her maternal experience to reclaim space and redefine herself. She describes pivotal health events affecting her and her children that prompted a significant life shift. Tehla reflects on her formerly career-centric identity and how motherhood surprisingly reconnected her with forgotten parts of herself. We discuss societal judgment of mothers, including the dismissive "what a waste" comment she received while pregnant after completing her MBA, and examine how institutions reinforce oppressive structures impacting mothers. Tehla's story illustrates how mothers live within the 'tank,' subject to rules, expectations, and judgment, but can learn to 'mother against motherhood' (O'Reilly; Rich) and reclaim a space of their own. Learn more about Tehla and get your copy of “A Mother’s Space” here – www.tehlajane.com https://www.instagram.com/tehla_jane/ https://www.facebook.com/tehla.jane/