Good enough is just perfect

Becoming a mother is a huge milestone in a woman's life. In addition to the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy, many psychological, emotional and social challenges are also experienced. It's often assumed that women fall in love with their children at first sight, but according to Figes (2008), shock, guilt and even grief are more common feelings. It can be hard to love a baby who stays awake all night and cries all day. New motherhood changes everything. It changes the way we think and feel about life, love and family. It changes our priorities radically and permanently. Some parents wish children came into the world with an instruction manual. But while there are lots of pregnancy manuals, once a baby is born, the focus switches almost exclusively to the baby. There are very few books that talk about what mothers might be going through and there are very few women who are prepared for the radical shifts in identity and the emotional intensity of motherhood. Because the motherhood role carries with it numerous responsibilities, women often find themselves struggling to function and meet cultural role expectations (Beth, 2012).