You’re expected to parent like you don’t work, work like you don’t parent, and smile like you’re fine. I see you. You are not the problem.
So many of the women I work with carry a silent burden: the impossible expectations placed on them as mothers. They’re told to be endlessly nurturing, endlessly productive, endlessly calm — all at once. They’re praised for “doing it all,” but left alone to carry the weight.
This contradiction is what I call The Motherhood Paradox:
This contradiction is what I call The Motherhood Paradox:
- Be selfless, but also self-actualized.
- Be present, but also productive.
- Raise emotionally healthy kids, but never show your own emotions.
- And above all — don’t complain.
This isn’t just unfair. It’s unsustainable. It’s also a huge contributor to the anxiety, depression, and shame that many women experience — and then blame themselves for.
Why This Matters to My Practice:
As a therapist, I’ve seen how deeply this paradox wounds people. Many of my clients don’t even realize the pressure they’re under — they just know they feel like they’re failing. Therapy gives us the space to name these pressures, challenge them, and begin healing from them.
What's Next:
In the coming months, I’ll be hosting online conversations with those who have something to contribute to the Motherhood Paradox.
This includes:
This includes:
- Moms at any stage (new parents, single moms, working moms, empty nesters)
- Mental health professionals
- Educators
- Allies who want to understand and support
Interested in joining the conversation?
Use the contact form to let me know you’d like to be included when events launch.
