The Good Enough Mother

In this episode I speak with neuroscientist Dr. Sarah McKay about her latest book: Baby Brain - The surprising neuroscience of how pregnancy and motherhood sculpt our brains and change our minds (for the better). This conversation aims to debunk some of the myths about ‘baby brain’ that exist in our culture, and we discuss the discrepancies between what the research says about the maternal brain and our memory, with what mothers say about their memory and experience of ‘baby brain’. We talk about societal expectations and patriarchal influences on motherhood alongside the cognitive changes that occur for women when they become mothers, and this intersection between the ‘social’ and the ‘physiological’. The episode explores how pregnancy primes the brain for motherhood, the impact of thoughts on biological processes, the significance of brain-to-brain synchrony in mother-child interactions, and how motherhood contributes to resilience in the maternal brain. You’ll learn about the fascinating phenomenon of foetal cell transfer and its potential benefits for women who have experienced miscarriage. Dr. Sarah simplifies complex brain science and sheds light on the profound connection between baby brain, pregnancy, and motherhood. See more on the show notes page here: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast104

The Motherhood Studies Certification 2024 is currently open for early enrolment, and in the context of launching next year's round of the course, I'm reflecting on some of the ways I think we can start to dismantle patriarchal motherhood that focuses on systems rather than individuals. I share some thoughts and reflections on what some structural and social changes could look like, ranging from areas including postpartum care, maternal mental health, economic policy, sex-based role stereotypes, and more. I also speak to the complexities of advocating for societal system change and the importance of remaining open minded, curious, humble, and keeping in mind historical, and cultural contexts. I refer to previous podcast episodes 98 (with Alecia Staines) and 34 (with Dr Oscar Serrallach). The next round of The Motherhood Studies Practitioner Certification program begins on April 29, 2024, and early enrolment is open until October 24th. Head here for more information https://drsophiebrock.com/motherhoodstudies/ or email me at info@drsophiebrock.com if you have any questions. See the Instagram post referred to here and feel free to comment with any further ideas or suggestions you have about promoting social change: https://www.instagram.com/drsophiebrock/

In this episode I am joined by Zoe Blaskey, founder of Motherkind and host of The Motherkind Podcast. Zoe is a transformational coach and a mother of two who knows firsthand the complexities of modern motherhood. Her journey into motherhood inspired her to create the Motherkind movement and podcast, where she shares wisdom from world-leading experts on topics ranging from self-care and mental health to career, nutrition, and parenting. Zoe and I dive deep into the intricacies of motherhood. Zoe shares her personal journey and the challenges she faced as a new mother, including feelings of guilt, anxiety, and the ever-present sense of not feeling 'good enough.' We explore how the journey for parenting knowledge can sometimes lead to self-critique and the complexities that arise when we’re told to just ‘listen to our inner voice’. Zoe's insights shed light on the empowering, yet sometimes overwhelming, abundance of information available to mothers. We talk about how to come to a place where you can feel empowered and equipped, without feeling overwhelmed. Listen in to hear insights from Zoe's journey in creating a world-leading podcast and platform on Motherhood, and how to bring more compassion into your daily lived experience as a mother. Connect with Zoe Blaskey: Instagram: @zoeblaskey Website: www.motherkind.co Email: zoe@motherkind.co Podcast show notes: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast102

This conversation is with Tracy Gillett, passionate advocate of natural parenting and creator of the award-winning blog and community Raised Good. Tracy was a veterinarian for many years before starting Raised Good and we talk about how this orientation led her into diving into the science of parenting and finding ways to make it accessible for parents. We talk about countercultural parenting practices, parenting through connection, and the sometimes complex relationship we can have to parenting in a way that feels aligned and authentic while ‘breaking the rules’ to live in our values. We both talk candidly about our own experiences of mothering and how information and making parenting decisions is filtered through the lens of our own lived experiences, interests, cultural context, and the individual needs and personality of our child. I ask Tracy about the journey she’s been on in building her business and community, and if she has any advice for ways to nurture creativity and sustain energy and focus in the creation of a project and moving towards a vision as she’s done in this space for almost a decade. Be sure to grab your FREE ticket to Raised Good Online Parenting Summit 2023, beginning September 21st here: bit.ly/3ZD3Ti1 You can also download a free guide to Five Natural Parenting Secrets That Make Kids Want To Cooperate (No Time Outs, Punishments or Threats Required) here: https://raisedgood.com/naturalparentingsecrets More information on safe infant sleep: https://raisedgood.com/sids-safe-sleep-babies-risk/ https://llli.org/the-safe-sleep-seven/ Connect with Tracy: Instagram: @raisedgood

I've created a free resource for mother-supporting professionals and those working in motherhood-support to learn what patriarchal motherhood is, and why understanding the social structure of motherhood is critical for mother-supporting professionals. Discover 10 ways that patriarchal motherhood can show up in your clients, through a training offered via an exclusive private podcast and an accompanying PDF companion. My hope is that this resource will empower you with enhanced awareness and sensitivity in seeking to provide more effective and holistic support to mothers navigating the challenges posed by patriarchal norms and expectations. Head here to register for free access: https://drsophiebrock.com/patriarchalmotherhood

In this episode, we dive into the concept of the "good enough mother" from the perspective of Dr Tanya Cotler, who is a Clinical Psychologist, author, and speaker specializing in reproductive mental health, infant mental health, and parent-child attachment. Tanya has studied the work of Winnicott (who is the creator of the concept of ‘the good enough mother’) extensively and offers a unique lens and insight having expertise in BOTH child and adult psychology. We dive into unpacking what ‘good enough’ actually means, the process of attunement mismatches and rupture-repair cycles in a child’s development, and how intentional and unconscious repair contribute to building trust, resilience, and frustration tolerance in children. We centre the mother in our conversation to shift a child-focused lens, and I ask Tanya about her experience with what it’s like to work with both adults and children in the context of reflecting on these theories. Tanya shares insights from her nearly 20 years of clinical and research experience, and she offers us a key takeaway we can put into practice as good enough mothers, for the benefit of both our children and ourselves. Episode show notes: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast100 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcotler/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tanya.cotler Website: https://drtanyacotler.com/

In this episode, Amy Taylor-Kabbaz and I delve into the intricacies, beauty and challenges of mothering ‘beyond the early years’, and share parts of our own personal mothering journeys to demonstrate the ongoing nature of matrescence. Amy's insights from her lived experience and work as a matrescence activist, cast a light on the imperative need for all-encompassing support systems that envelop mothers throughout their journey. We talk about the impossible ‘balancing act’ when it comes to mothering children at different ages and stages, and how we continue to nurture ourselves and a sense of our own identity while trying to meet our children’s varying and various needs. We hope that our conversation points to the vital significance of sharing stories among mothers and having spaces where we can be heard, as well as how we can learn from other mothers who are in different stages of motherhood than we may be. Amy articulates how storytelling can become a vehicle for healing, growth, and cultivating a profound sense of solidarity amongst mothers, and emphasizes the potential and possibility for matrescence as a powerful catalyst for personal growth, healing and transformation. If you’re interested in supporting mothers on their matrescence journey, check out Amy’s groundbreaking Mama Rising Offering, which encapsulates her unique coaching and support framework for mothers transitioning through matrescence. Amy’s program is now open for enrolment until August 30th, 2023. Learn more by heading to - https://mamarising.net/open/ Connect with Amy on Instagram: @amytaylorkabbaz and @mamarisingmovement or email Amy at atk@amytaylorkabbaz.com Learn more about this episode and see key quotes at: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast99

*Please note that this podcast discusses obstetric violence, rape, and trauma. ** If you would like to lodge a submission to the Birth Trauma Inquiry via The Maternity Consumer Network, head here: https://form.jotform.com/231841360678864 To lodge directly, head here: https://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/committees/inquiries/Pages/lodge-a-submission.aspx?pk=2965 . . . Alecia Staines is a passionate advocate for improving the maternity care system and has been working in this space of political advocacy for a decade. She is also a classroom teacher, childbirth educator, yoga teacher, founder of Maternal Consumer Network, and mother of 5. In this conversation Alecia provides an overview of some of the key problems she sees within the maternity system, how she works both within the system and outside of it, in order to advocate for institutional change. Alecia is active in working to address structural inadequacies, as well in supporting individuals through education, trauma-informed practices, and more. We talk frankly about the challenges in initiating structural and social change, and I ask for Alecia’s insights as to how she’s navigated these challenges and sustained herself over the course of her career and volunteer work. Alecia reflects on the bureaucratic obstacles that exist in the maternity system, the prevalence of birth and obstetric violence, the importance of respectful communication within healthcare, and the foundational role that birth plays in ‘setting us up’ for motherhood. We talk about the ripple effects of birth trauma on relationships and society and discuss healing, the power of story-telling, vagal toning, social power dynamics, paternalism, hierarchies, and the need for reform. . . . Alecia has a range of online and face to face offerings, including her Vagal Toning for Birth Trauma Course. All available at www.aleciastaines.com.au https://www.instagram.com/alecia_staines/ Reach out to The Maternity Consumer Network: https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/ https://www.instagram.com/maternity_consumer_network/ Australia's first consent training for maternity health professionals: https://www.maternityconsumernetwork.org.au/about-6 Better Births presentation from Alecia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7FQtT37XDU Check out Alecia’s podcast: Birth, The Forgotten Feminist Issue Show notes for more links and information from the show: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast98 . . . If you find aspects of this podcast conversation raises difficult feelings for you, please reach out for support. Support lines Australia - https://www.panda.org.au/ - 1300 726 306 @pandanational @lifelineaustralia @13yarn UK - https://pandasfoundation.org.uk/ - 0808 1961 776 USA - https://www.postpartum.net/ - Text “Help” to 800-944-4773 (EN) The EU/EEA - Mental health helpline - 116 123

In this episode I speak with Dr Greer Kirshenbaum - a neuroscientist, doula, educator, and author of her newly released book: "The Nurture Revolution: Grow Your Baby's Brain and Transform Their Mental Health through the Art of Nurtured Parenting.” Greer shares with us revolutionary science about the power of nurturing in infancy - which is defined as the first 3 years of life. Throughout Greer’s book and this episode, Greer dispels common myths surrounding the care and nurture of babies: including social narratives about self-soothing, sleep training, temperamental differences between our babies, and the level of control we really have over how our children behave, feel, and react. We dive into a discussion of epigenetics and how we are influenced by ancestral experiences. I share my favourite parts of Greer’s work that have revolutionised my own understanding of childhood - and motherhood. In this episode you’ll learn about the links between mental health, infancy, our stress-system, and nurture as a practice. We also discuss toxic cultures of ‘low nurture’ and talk about Greer’s concept of ‘nurtured empathy’ for both our babies and ourselves. Please share this episode with anyone you know who is involved in the care and nurture of infants, and the care and support of parents, and check out more about the episode including key quotes and where to buy Greer’s book. You can find more about Dr Greer here - https://www.nurture-neuroscience.com/ Instagram: Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nurture_neuroscience_parenting/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NurtureNeuroscience/ Episode show notes for quotes and where to find Greer's book: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast97

Are we being ‘duped’ by our current cultural conception of what it means to be a mother? In this episode, I speak with Tess Wilkinson-Ryan who is a law professor and moral psychologist at The University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. Tess is the author of her recently released book: FOOL PROOF: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Ourselves and the Social Order―and What We Can Do About It. The book is on the psychology of feeling duped or betrayed, exploring the human experience of feeling like a ‘sucker’, and we focus our conversation on one particular chapter of the book: Mothersucker. Tess shares how motherhood can be like playing a relentless public goods game (she explains what this is in the episode) in which a mother's job is to contribute, but everyone else gets to play whatever strategy they want and benefit from her work while she remains undervalued and taken for granted. We unpack the discrepancy between the cultural promise and social rewards of motherhood with what mothers then experience, and Tess shares research into the bias and discrimination that mothers face. This conversation explores the relationship between individualism and care-work, the ways mothers are socialized into patriarchal motherhood, collectivism, the allocation of resources, the economy of motherhood and more. We also explore the dynamic between an individual mothers’ life, psychology and decision-making, with the broader social-cultural-moral context of motherhood that she is living within. You can find more about Tess here - https://twitter.com/tesswilkry or https://www.tesswilkinsonryan.com/ Purchase Tess's Book: Fool Proof: How Fear of Playing the Sucker Shapes Our Selves and the Social Order—and What We Can Do About It: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/fool-proof-tess-wilkinson-ryan?variant=40485173723170 Episode shownotes: https://drsophiebrock.com/podcast96