What Mothers Learn

Description

‘Naomi writes so gently; her words are a soothing balm in these months of confusion . . . Thank you, Naomi, for your wise words’ JUNO

‘Essential reading for mothers’ Breastfeeding Today

It is amazing to listen to mothers and hear how much they learn.

Each mother learns different things – some practical, some mysterious. However, some common patterns come through.

Mothers learn that:

*Mothering is more than baby- and childcare.
*Babies can’t talk but they can communicate.
*Mothers are ‘in conversation’ with their babies.
*Through their babies, mothers learn about themselves.
*Mothers form families based on their own values.
*The role of fathers is in the middle of a major change.
*The reasons for maternal anger need to be understood.
*Mothers can still be feminists.
*Part of mothering is a spiritual experience.
*Mothers bring usable experience back to their workplaces.

What Mothers Learn will show, first, how learning to be a mother takes time, and then what a wonderful experience it can be. It also makes the case that, if enough of us agree that mothering is essential, society must find a way to reward the women who do it.

For nearly 30 years, Naomi Stadlen has been listening to hundreds of mothers at her weekly discussion meetings, Mothers Talking, and at monthly meetings for La Leche League. She an existential psychotherapist and the author of the bestselling What Mothers Do and How Mothers Love. Visit www.naomistadlen.com.

Some of what mothers learn can be taught. But what do mothers learn for themselves?

When I was pregnant, I thought I was going to have a baby. But as soon as he was born, I saw that I had given birth to a person.

I thought being a mother was about feeding and nappies. I didn’t realise how much it would teach me about myself.

People are always telling me that I must do this and do that with my kids. And I think: No! Having children makes you see what your values are.

What mothers learn is both ordinary and very difficult. They are usually the first to relate to their babies. As they communicate by pre-verbal ‘conversations’, they gain an understanding of their babies – and also of themselves. Drawing on their words, What Mothers Learn describes the mothering experience as a journey of discovery. It demonstrates why mothering is so valuable to both mother and baby, and beneficial to society as a whole.

For nearly 30 years, Naomi Stadlen has listened to hundreds of mothers at her weekly discussion meetings, Mothers Talking, and at monthly meetings for La Leche League. She is also an existential psychotherapist, and specialises in seeing mothers and parent-couples.

Naomi’s books are a wonderful anthology of what mothers have said over the years, drawn together with her own contemplative reflection on the conversations . . . Naomi writes so gently; her words are a soothing balm in these months of confusion. Through listening to mothers, she learns what is important to them, and discovers the seemingly tiny details that are so significant in the life of a child, to family and to society . . . Thank you, Naomi, for your wise words—Juno

Additional information

Dimensions	0.875 × 6.125 × 9.25 in
Imprint	Piatkus
Format	General Trade
ISBN-13	09780349412443
ISBN-10	0349412448
Author	Naomi Stadlen
Audience	General / adult
BISAC	FAM050000
Subjects	FAM050000