Transition into Parenthood (Matrescence)

Before becoming a parent, it’s easy to imagine how things will be. But the day-to-day reality of caring for a child can look very different from what was expected. Matrescence is the physical, emotional, psychological, and social transition a person goes through when they becomes a mother. The term matrescence was popularised by anthropologist Dana Raphael in the 1970s.

Below are various articles, blogs, podcasts and tips that maybe of interest to you.

Baby Chick Article - Motherhood: This Isn’t What I Expected… The expectations for motherhood (or lack of them) can be surprising. And hard. One mother shares, "This isn't what I expected!"
Pop Sugar Article - What No One Tells You About Matrescence
Very Well Mind Article - How to Avoid Falling Into the Expectations vs Reality Trap - There’s a lovely phrase in the pictures about ‘ask yourself what you’re expecting from a situation’.
Compassionate Wellness Counseling Article - 3 Tips For Managing Expectations In Motherhood
Dr Tess Browne Article - Becoming a Mother: The Impact of Expectation
ZenCare - Transition to New Parenthood
BBC Worklife Article - The hidden load: How 'thinking of everything' holds mums back
Mother & Baby Article - The invisible burden: How the ‘mental load’ of motherhood holds mums back
Cope Article - Newborn baby and adjusting to parenthood

Juggling the Mental Load - tips

Pick Any Two Article- 9 Things To Do When You’re Overwhelmed By Motherhood
The Pragmatic Parent Article- Instant Ways to Stop Being Overwhelmed by Motherhood
BBC Tiny Happy People Article - Back to work after parental leave? How to safeguard your mental health
The Organised Mum Method - TOMM
BBC Tiny Happy People Article - Strategies for coping with stress as a parent
Mind Article PDF
Single Mums - Top 10 Tips

Podcasts

Articles