In this conversation, Deborah Graham and Dr Eva Benmeleh explore the multifaceted journey of motherhood, discussing the challenges and triumphs that come with balancing family and career. They delve into the complexities of maternal mental health, the impact of perfectionism, and the importance of community support. Eva shares her personal experiences with postpartum depression and the evolution of her identity as a mother, emphasising the need for self-compassion and understanding in the parenting journey. The concept of matrescence is introduced as a framework for understanding the transformative experience of becoming a mother.

In this conversation, Dr Eva Benmeleh discusses the importance of self-reflection through journaling, the complexities of maternal mental health, and the role of AI in providing support. She emphasises the impact of social media on mothers and shares insights about her practice, which focuses on helping individuals navigate their emotional challenges and reclaim their power in motherhood.

Takeaways

• Two feelings can coexist in motherhood.
• Motherhood often leads to a loss of self-identity.
• Perfectionism can hinder the joy of parenting.
• Postpartum challenges are common and need to be addressed.
• Community support is crucial for mothers.
• Self-compassion is essential in the parenting journey.
• The relationship with one's own mother influences parenting styles.
• Matrescence is a critical concept in understanding motherhood.
• Mothers often feel societal pressure to be perfect.
• Finding balance between work and family is a continuous struggle. Journaling creates a space for self-reflection and emotional processing.
• Maternal mental health issues are prevalent and often misunderstood.
• AI can provide support but should be approached with caution.
• Social media can have both positive and negative impacts on mental health.
• It's important for mothers to seek help and support when needed.
• Self-reflection can help mothers understand their feelings and experiences.
• The pressure to be a perfect mother can lead to feelings of inadequacy.
• Eva's practice focuses on empowering individuals to reclaim their lives.
• Understanding one's emotional patterns is key to personal growth.
• Trusting oneself is crucial in navigating motherhood.

You can find Dr Eva on her website www.drevabenmeleh.com

On Instagram @dr.evebenmeleh or @the.matrescence.journals

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MatrescenceatworkPodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on instagram and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ at

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrescenceatwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraham/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Deborah never imagined having kids and thought she'd be focussed on her career. Now a mother of one, she shares her journey to Motherhood and the profound shift she experienced.

Learn about DearMe app, a maternal wellbeing app built for Mums.

Website www.dearme.digital⁠

Instagram @dearmeapp.official

Get a pre launch subscription of $39 ⁠https://dearme.digital/early-supporter⁠

Or reach out to Deborah directly deborah@dearme.digital

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MatrescenceatworkPodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on instagram and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ at

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrescenceatwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraham/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kirsty shares her perspective on motherhood. She was always destined to travel and not once, but twice, found out she was pregnant when she was on the cusp of a big trip. Initially returning home, Kirsty has found a way to continue the alternative lifestyle with her two kids.

Kirsty used her experience in pregnancy to train as a corrective exercise specialist, initially to heal herself and is now focused on healing others. You can find Kirsty and Sacred Strength on Instagram and TikTok. Links are in the bio.

Free ebook: https://stan.store/sacredstrength/p/get-my-free-ebook-now-fn6kgst7

Instagram: _sacred_strength_
Tiktok: _sacred_strength

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MatrescenceatworkPodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on instagram and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ at

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrescenceatwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraham/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Jacinta, an Australian of the year nominee is in the community trying to heal herself and heal others at the same time.

In this conversation we discuss Matrescence and the impact that the journey to Motherhood can have on ones mental health.

Jacinta has experienced a lot of trauma through out her life and now living with Complex PTSD she finds herself connecting with other Mothers to help reduce the isolation she feels and in looking for purpose in helping others to overcome.

If you are interested in learning more about Just Another Girl Project and Moc Apparel, see the links below.

www.justanothergirlproject.com.au
www.mocapparel.com.au

Jacinta references domestic violence, postnatal depression, and complex PTSD. I encourage you to use your discretion in listening to this episode.

If you are in need of support here are a few resources for you;

Beyond Blue 1300 22 4636

Gidget Foundation

For When 1300 24 23 22

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MatrescenceatworkPodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on instagram and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ at

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrescenceatwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraham/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠

Join Deborah Graham as she explores the experience of other women as they transition to Mother, what it's like rejoining the workforce once you're a parent and what we all want to know.

In this episode Emma Dolan shares her journey through motherhood, the concept of Matrescence, and practical tips on sleep and behaviour coaching for new mums. Discover how understanding these aspects can ease the motherhood transition and improve family well-being.

You can find Emma on instagram @thegentleapproachsleep or

Website: https://emmadolan.com

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MatrescenceatworkPodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on instagram and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ at

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrescenceatwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraham/ ⁠⁠⁠

Kimberly Beadle shares her story on what it’s like when you fall into contracting and then build a business with the possibility of having children being at the forefront of every decision you make.

Kelly Ling, founder of Stork & Spark uses her experience in matrescence to support other women in their transition to Motherhood while they are navigating their work lives.

Kelly shares her experience in returning to work, when her son was just 5 months old and how there was something that just didn't feel right about it.

Leaning into her experience, Kelly started preparing herself for a career change and an exit from corporate life.

You can keep up to date with Kelly below;

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylingSubstack - https://substack.com/@kellyatstorkandspark

Follow ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@MatrescenceatworkPodcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠on instagram and ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠

Or find me on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ at

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/matrescenceatwork/⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/deborahgraham/ ⁠⁠