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Matrescence

Heard this nice TED talk on transition into motherhood. All teens don't go through adolescence in the same way. There is a wide range in how the cope with the changes that impact their body and emotions. While we may label one teen as more challenging than others, there is no stigma attached to the behavior - it is generally excused as part of the transition. Such is not the case with mothers. There is a societal expectation about how she should feel about her new baby. 

The less she can fit that stereotype the more alienated and "abnormal" she feels. It is as if she were flawed and defective as a woman - unfit and unable to be a "good" mother. This feeling of inadequacy and confusion is not something she would find easy to share with friends and family for fear of judgement and shame.

Often, such a woman will begin to overcompensate by ways that are detrimental to all the important relationships in her life - the child does not benefit from it either. It seems like a very sensible option to talk more about matrescence and let women new to motherhood feel less isolated when they can't be textbook perfect.

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