Meaning in Motherhood

Typical conversations and preparations for motherhood usually center on the birthing experience and new infant care: how to change diapers and swaddle, and whether or not to co-sleep or breastfeed. But the experience of new motherhood comes with deep philosophical changes in the mother's sense of self, meaning, purpose, responsibility, and vulnerability. Like so many things with motherhood, these aspects tend to be dismissed or devalued by the dominant patriarchal culture, leaving new mothers feeling isolated and alone when they find themselves longing for their previous lives, struggling with their new relationships to their bodies and partners, worrying about screwing up their kids, or ruminating about mortality.

My own postpartum existential crisis reached a fever pitch when I was hospitalized for postpartum psychosis. After that experience, I saw how few resources and spaces there are for women to discuss these more complex and challenging aspects of motherhood, not only in cases of mental illness, but also in the more typical, and yet still incredibly challenging, transition to motherhood—what Dr. Alexandra Sacks calls "matrescence." Since then, I've aimed to create more spaces for these conversations, by speaking and writing publicly about my experience, by teaching workshops, and by providing individual and group coaching to help moms grapple with what it means to make a human being. It is through connecting and sharing with each other that we may heal.
​

about danielle!

Danielle LaSusa PhD helps moms grapple with what it means to make a person. She is a Philosophical Coach and co-creator and co-host of Think Hard podcast, which brings philosophy to the real world. She has a PhD in Philosophy, a Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies from Temple University, and a certification in Philosophical Counseling from the American Philosophical Practitioners Association. When her daughter was born, she damn near broke her brain trying to figure out what the hell happened. Now, she helps other moms make sense of motherhood. Learn more at daniellelasusa.com
​
Website: 
Go to her website here.
​