Mother Becoming explores the emerging concept of matrescence, the word used to describe the transition to motherhood. Cultivating a better understanding of matrescence is imperative for the wellbeing of mothers. There is often little acknowledgement of this tremendously life-changing experience, and the vast majority of support proffered during this tender time is directed toward the wellbeing of the baby. But becoming a mother is rife with upheaval and disorientation, and mothers must renegotiate their identities, relationships and values while simultaneously contending with the immense learning curve of motherwork. Through scholarship and storytelling alike, Mother Becoming unearths the multidimensional, kaleidoscopic nature of matrescence while also highlighting research, policy and practice recommendations to better support mothers. Mother Becoming is a wise companion for mothers and a practical guide for the professionals, communities and family members who support them.
"This beautifully written collection is a much-needed map for mothers and practitioners alike. It honours the hardships of matrescence while highlighting its potential for growth, empowerment, and transformation. By amplifying the multiplicity of mothers experiences, it helps women feel seen and validated - reducing shame, destigmatising distress, and creating safety to share conflicting feelings. Embracing mothering - the light, the dark, and the messy middle - it also offers practitioners clear frameworks and resources to support women through this transition. Matrescence is positioned as both personal and political: a site of meaning-making, resistance and possibility. This powerful contribution reimagines mothering not as a loss of self but as a generative force for mothers and society."
Dr. Caroline Boyd, perinatal clinical psychologist and author
"Mother Becoming is a beautifully crafted exploration of the transition into motherhood, blending expert insight with first-hand experience to capture the depth and complexity of this profound life stage. It gives language to what so many mothers feel but struggle to express, validating their lived realities and inviting the thoughtful inquiry and conversation they deserve in a culture that too often dismisses or pathologizes them."
Erin Spahr, therapist and founder, Feminist Mom Therapist
