#316 | UNDERSTANDING MATERNAL AMBIVALENCE | WITH DR MARGOT LOWY

WELCOME, MAMAS, TO THE MAMA MOVEMENT PODCAST.

In this conversation, Today Dr. Margot Lowy and myself delve into the often overlooked topic of maternal ambivalence, exploring the complex emotional landscape of motherhood.

Dr. Lowy emphasizes the importance of acknowledging both the loving and bitter feelings that come with being a mother, advocating for open discussions about these emotions to foster genuine connections and understanding. The conversation also addresses common misconceptions about ambivalence, clarifying that it is not indifference but rather a rich tapestry of feelings that mothers experience.

We cover the following:

• Maternal ambivalence encompasses all feelings of motherhood.
• Acknowledging dark feelings is crucial for genuine mothering.
• Societal expectations make it hard to discuss negative emotions.
• Finding a safe space to talk about feelings is essential.
• Ambivalence is often misunderstood as indifference.
• Mothers experience both love and bitterness simultaneously.
• Dark feelings can lead to personal transformation.
• It's important to embrace the full spectrum of emotions.
• Open discussions about motherhood can reduce shame.
• Maternal ambivalence is a common experience for all mothers.

ABOUT MARGOT

Margo Lowy, PhD, is a psychotherapist specializing in mothering. She is the author of MATERNAL AMBIVALENCE: The Loving Moments & Bitter Truths of Motherhood (Post Hill Press) and holds a doctorate from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, Australia, where she researched maternal ambivalence. Dr. Lowy is the author of a previous academic book, The Maternal Experience: Encounters with Ambivalence and Love, and has spoken about maternal ambivalence at universities and in media interviews worldwide. She is a columnist for Psychology Today, a member of PEN America, and a former advisor to the founder of the Australian Jewish Fertility Network (AJFN). She is mother to three children and is based with her husband in New York City.

CONTACTS

IG: https://www.instagram.com/drmargolowy

Website: https://drmargolowy.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmargolowy/

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Maternal Ambivalence

04:57 The Misconceptions of Ambivalence

06:01 Navigating the Emotional Landscape of Motherhood

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