The Good Enough Mother
Dr Sophie Brock
The role of being a Mother offers us the potential for incredible expansion, growth, and power, while also being one of – if not THE – most challenging, undervalued, and taken for granted roles in the world. Motherhood Studies Sociologist, researcher, and single Mother, Dr Sophie Brock hosts The Good Enough Mother (TGEM) podcast with an aim to change how Motherhood is culturally defined and individually experienced. TGEM draws its name from a theorist and pediatrician Winnicott, who highlighted the ways ‘good enough’ parenting is actually what is best for our children – not perfectionism. The podcast centres the Mother as the starting point for conversations with experts and change-makers who are passionate about seeing social, cultural, and institutional change to better support Mothers and therefore our families, and communities.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Oct 13, 2019 • 35min
5. Attachment: Separating Science and Culture
Separating the science from the cultural constructs, and judgements from the lived reality, this episode dives into attachment theory as setting the building blocks for human development and relationships. But rather than giving a one-dimensional account of attachment, I examine some critiques that will challenge your thinking and have you questioning what you really believe to be true about attachment-style parenting. I offer my own response to these critiques and share a story about my own relationship with attachment parenting. I encourage you to break out of set mothering-boxes and enjoy nuanced discussion about the realities of mothering and attachment theory.
Oct 6, 2019 • 32min
4. Coping With Catastrophe
I think part of our human experience involves experiencing catastrophe at some point in our lives. Whether that be through the death of a loved one, disease, divorce, loss of identity, or anything else that has devastating consequences. With this in mind, I tell the story of how my Dad and family coped with Motor Neurone Disease: a terminal, degenerative, and incurable disease. Dad fought for 20 years, and died in 2016. The lessons he left will guide me for the rest of my life. In this episode I share some of these with you in the hope that they offer you inspiration for choosing a path forward to build and live a life imbued with meaning and hope.
16 snips
Sep 29, 2019 • 31min
3. Empowered Mothering
Explore the meaning of empowered mothering and how it reclaims women's strength and authenticity. Discover the tension between traditional expectations and self-care, alongside revealing statistics about mothers' economic challenges in Australia. Dive into pressing issues like homelessness and domestic violence affecting women, while reflecting on privilege. Learn eight strategies that promote feminist parenting, encouraging mothers to embrace their autonomy and foster gender equality for future generations.
4 snips
Sep 16, 2019 • 25min
1. Welcome
Dive into a heartfelt exploration of motherhood and womanhood. The host shares personal experiences with identity and grief, fostering a supportive community for women. Discover the emotional complexities of being a 'good enough mother,' balancing joy and heartbreak. This journey emphasizes personal growth and resilience, celebrating imperfection while tackling the challenges of parenting. Join the conversation to feel empowered and connected!
