Matrescence Matters
the blog
“A woman’s experience of the world around and within her changes when she becomes a mother. The way her body functions, feels, thinks and interprets; the way she finds belonging & relates to others; how she spends her time; what she sees, hears, feels, tastes, smells; how she moves; how she is perceived. Her experience of motherhood is an individual and social responsibility”
— Sarah Ashton @matrescencematters
I love to tell the story of the motherhood transformation and to back it up with the science to explain and validate it.
That is what you’ll find here.
Make sure you check back regularly to see what words I've shared AND if you come across anything special I would love for you to get in touch.
As Aurelie Athan (Ph.D.) said, “Words create worlds. When we have lack of language and don’t know how to articulate our feelings, it makes it incredibly difficult. We need words to heal."
Navigating the social *expectations* of motherhood.
Motherhood today comes with a host of societal expectations that shape how mothers navigate their roles, from work-life balance to personal fulfillment. These long-standing norms often perpetuate inequalities, leaving mothers feeling responsible for family life at the expense of their own well-being. In this blog, we explore how these social expectations influence maternal mental health and the transformative process of matrescence. Learn how to break free from these norms and cultivate an empowered, value-aligned approach to motherhood.
Redefining Matrescence Support: Fostering Strength Together
Matrescence, the transformative journey of becoming a mother, redefines identity, relationships, and self-worth. But the societal expectations that come with motherhood can often mask the authentic strength this journey offers. In this blog, we delve into how redefining support in Matrescence—through community, sharing stories, and challenging norms—can help foster resilience and connection. Let’s explore the steps to embrace empowered, supportive motherhood that celebrates strength in asking for help and nurtures our need for connection.
Navigating Parenthood Together
Parenthood is a journey of change, connection, and understanding. In this heartfelt letter to my partner, I reflect on the shifts of motherhood—challenging the myth of the 'perfect mother,' embracing matrescence, and navigating shared responsibilities. Together, we explore ways to nurture our relationship, understand ‘mum brain,’ and adapt to the emotional nuances of parenthood. This letter offers insights on building a balanced, supportive partnership and fostering open communication as we grow together in parenthood
The interaction of trauma, matrescence and nervous system function…
Motherhood is a sensory symphony of joy, vigilance, and profound physiological change. In this article, we explore the complex interaction between trauma, matrescence, and nervous system function—highlighting how hypervigilance and sympathetic dominance can shape a mother’s experience. We’ll dive into how trauma affects implicit memory and ways to navigate these intense sensations to cultivate balance and well-being. As a Mental Health Occupational Therapist, I’m here to support mothers in understanding and embracing this intricate journey, finding calm within the sensory dance of motherhood
Matrescence is Disorientating
Matrescence—the profound developmental process of becoming a mother—reshapes how we see and experience the world around us. This transition involves merging our pre-mother identity with new responsibilities, redefining roles, and managing a wave of emotions. In this article, we delve into how matrescence alters our perceptions, impacts our relationships, and introduces the tension of ambivalence. Just as teens need support transitioning into adulthood, mothers deserve guidance navigating this transformative journey. Join us as we explore how to find grounding and self-acceptance within the complexities of motherhood.
The Complexity of Overwhelm
It’s 8:15am and we head off for a bike ride, ‘this will be good’ I think, ‘sun, fresh air, physical activity’. Like you, we’ve had so much sickness in our house – it’s a relief to get outside.
Matrescence on the Continuum of Distress
Matrescence is a developmental process, it’s universal and all mothers will experience a matrescent period in their life, just as we did in adolescence.
What If We Thought Of Rest As Productive?
What are your thoughts on rest? We are conditioned to feel guilt with rest, or to feel like we need to have earned it. Well, firstly Mama, you have earned it. And secondly rest is productive.
Mastering Your Matrescence
The pressure to master our matrescence is influenced by the interaction of our personal desire for mastery, and the demands of our environment.
7 Reasons You Might Be Feeling Overwhelmed in Motherhood
These are all very valid, and normal, experiences within the current social context of mothering, matrescence, nervous system function and occupational disruption.