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Maternal ambivalence is about accepting conflicting emotions in motherhood.

The baby bag metaphor illustrates carrying diverse emotions in motherhood daily.

Safe spaces for moms help break taboos and normalize emotional transparency.

I was invited onto the “Beyond the Bump” podcast last month. This is an Australian podcast, hosted by two young mothers, Sophie Pearce and Jayde Couldwell, who have built up a large following in the maternal space. We had an amazing conversation about maternal ambivalence—it was authentic, curious, and energetic. We learnt about each other’s work and how they understand the everyday current experience of mothering. During our conversation, I had a glimpse into the workings of this passionate and enthusiastic team.

A Conversation About Maternal Ambivalence

We reflected on the everyday layered experiences of mothering and maternal ambivalence; how complicated mothering is and the importance of trying to make sense of it. These moms articulated the truths of their mothering so well, saying things like:

"The hard things are so often coupled with positive."

“Before having children, I’d never experienced something that made me feel so torn before."

"The reason we go back for more children is that yes, the hard parts are there, but there is beauty to it. It’s this delicate dance."

I chimed in, “And that's what ambivalence is. It's the ability to have two truths occurring at once."

We talked........

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