Is Motherhood the Hardest Identity to Define?
Posted
Thursday, December 27, 2007 9:16 PM
The resolution I had planned for the upcoming year had been
to reclaim some of my pre-Mommy existence, if possible. I think that this started as a very broad
goal, as fitting into my pre-baby clothes could definitely fall within the
scope. However, I do feel that, when I
became a mother, I underwent a complete transformation of body, mind and
spirit--one that I could have never envisioned prior to the birth of my
daughter and perhaps some of my former identity is no longer part of me.
I imagine that many mothers must feel as I do and wonder how
and when and if they are able to reclaim some part of their former existence or
understand their new identity better. It’s
easy to lose focus when there’s little time for introspection and daily life is
frequently punctuated by leaking sippy cups, tantrums, wet diapers and bath
time floods. But aside from mothers, we
are women—women who have undergone a transformation that’s defined and
experienced, I’d imagine, differently and similarly by all.
THE TRANSFORMATION
EXPLORED
How do we begin to explore this change? Is there a forum available that allows us to
safely and privately discuss how motherhood is defined by others and by
ourselves? Amidst soft, ambient lighting
and soothing background décor, women gather regularly in the East Mount Airy
section of Philadelphia to do just this.
Lisa Mullins, a licensed clinical social worker, and
specialist in parenting and relationship issues, offers the space used for her
private practice as a setting for women to gather to individually and
collectively explore the journey of motherhood as a transformative,
life-changing process through her workshop, Motherhood as a Journey of Transformation.
STRUCTURE
In the 6-week workshop, Motherhood as a Journey of Transformation, Lisa innovatively
explores the personal experiences of mothering through symbolism. This workshop provides a unique, safe
community space for mothers to acknowledge and reflect upon their own feelings
of loss, growth, and expansion through analysis of workshop material such as
dreams, fairy tales and personal essays.
DEFINING EXPERIENCE,
EMBRACING OUR SELVES
Given the unique nature of the subject matter and its direct
relevance to my life, I was elated when granted the privilege to attend a
session. Through personal insight, I can attest to the true uniqueness and
cathartic nature of this program. In the
session I had attended, we had explored some short stories that focused on the
myth of the divine child. As the mother
of a toddler, I was able to immediately connect to the material. I came away with interpretations of the
material offered by each attendee that helped me to redefine my individual
views about parenting a spirited little one and focus on my growth as a mother
over the past few years.
What’s more, I was able to connect with a group of women
that were there to learn more about themselves as we all journey together
through the uncharted personal path of motherhood and discover and define our
ever-changing identities that expand and develop over the course of our lives
as mothers. One mother of two put it
best when she said, “I know it seems impossible to find the time for a
discussion group when you’re busy with young children, but this experience
truly brought deeper meaning to my daily life as a mother.”
COMMENCING THE
PROCESS OF SELF-EXPLORATION
I urge each seasoned mother, new mother, and expectant
mother to contact True North Therapy at timetodream14 [at] gmail [dot] com to experience this one-of-a-kind,
uplifting workshop: Motherhood as a Journey of Transformation. This workshop offers the opportunities for
Moms to explore how the amazing and transformative process of mothering itself
can be the catalyst for each woman to discover who she truly is and who she is
truly meant to become.
LEARN MORE
To learn more about Motherhood as a Journey of Transformation including session
times and dates, please call 215.779.0271 or e-mail timetodream14@gmail.com. Workshops are held at two convenient times in
the Mount Airy office: Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. and Thursdays
from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
MOTHERS HELPING
MOTHERS
Are you interested in Motherhood as a Journey of Transformation
but would like to know more about what other mothers who have taken the
workshop have to say about their experiences?
Read reviews to learn more about this enlightening program at
LilaGuide.com.