The speaker never had the desire for children and didn't take much interest in them. Despite the societal expectation of falling in love, getting married, and having kids, the speaker didn't feel the same pull towards parenthood. Growing up in a violent home conditioned the speaker to not stand out as a means of survival, which carried into adulthood. Wanting to conform to societal norms and not stand out like their peers was influenced by the violent environment in their childhood home.
Shortly after Laura Cathcart Robbins had her second child, she developed a crippling anxiety disorder and severe insomnia. Within a few years, she was addicted to sleeping pills. Laura was ashamed because she felt like motherhood came so much more easily to her friends. And so, for years, she kept her addiction a secret. Then one day she reached a breaking point.
If you enjoyed this episode, try this one from the archive: “Jason Isbell Finds Peace With His Past.”
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