Matrescence Workshop

Jacqueline is a life coach for mums who feel like they've lost themselves in motherhood. She supports mothers as they get very clear and confident about who they are now at this stage of their motherhood journey. Jacqueline has spent the last few years challenging the unrealistic standards of motherhood that we are encouraged to aspire to and in doing so has redefined what's possible not just for her, but for the mothers she works with". 

As for the workshop: 

MATRESCENCE: "...the time of mother becoming". Dana Raphael

In this ‘Introduction to Matrescence’ workshop, you’ll learn about the concept of matrescence and how it impacts you, your motherhood, and your life.

The term ‘matrescence’ was coined in 1973 by an anthropologist called Dana Raphael and has changed the lives of mothers all over the world as it offers such a different lens through which to view motherhood and all that it entails.

There are so many parts and experiences within motherhood that are not spoken about. When I first became a mother in 2013, I quickly realised that there was a massive difference between what I thought motherhood would be like and what it was actually like. It wasn’t until I stumbled across the word ‘matrescence’ in 2018 that so much of what I was experiencing began to really make sense. 

The word matrescence is like an umbrella term as the word itself refers to such a vast range of experiences and realities. Dr. Alexandra Sacks wrote an article for the New York Times titled ‘The Birth of A Mother’ and in this article, she refers to four main areas that are useful to be aware of when exploring the challenges of matrescence. 

These four areas are: 

• Changing Family Dynamics
• Fantasy Vs Reality
• Maternal Ambivalence
• Guilt, Shame and The Good Enough Mother

I have felt each of these areas deeply and yet it did not dawn on me that what I was experiencing was actually part of the transition from the woman I was to the mother I was becoming. As this workshop is an introduction to the topic, I’ll be exploring the four main areas that have been identified as being key to understanding what happens to us as mothers in our transitions to motherhood. 

Learning the word ‘matrescence’ was like flipping a light on. It has helped me and millions of mothers around the world put words and language to our real, lived experiences of what it has been like for us to become mothers. 

I invite you to join me for this ‘Introduction to Matrescence’ Workshop so that you too can begin to make sense of your own motherhood experience (and this applies to new mammies as well as mammies who have been mothering for quite some time).

During our time together, you will have the opportunity to explore your thoughts on the changes you’ve experienced in your identity, your roles in life and your relationships, and your expectations of self and of others.