Motherhood Made Real

Grief

Even After They’re Gone, the Transformation of Grief

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on November 12, 2025

Personal Perspective: Even after they’re gone, the people who truly see us keep helping us grow. Love, loss, and meaning intertwine to transform grief into an ongoing relationship.

Personal Perspective: Even after they’re gone, the people who truly see us keep helping us grow. Love, loss, and meaning intertwine to transform grief into an ongoing relationship.

Shame

How Silence and Shame Impact Maternal Mental Health

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on June 13, 2025

When mothers speak the truths they were taught to hide, healing begins—for themselves, and for generations to come.

When mothers speak the truths they were taught to hide, healing begins—for themselves, and for generations to come.

Anxiety

Inside a Mother's Mind

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on November 13, 2020

The nature of anxious maternal thoughts, and supportive tips for coping.

The nature of anxious maternal thoughts, and supportive tips for coping.

Coronavirus Disease 2019

Surrendering and Coping with COVID-19

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on July 25, 2020

Drawing on Leonard Cohen’s song "Hineni," presence, impermanence, and finding meaning are skills available to all of us as we cope with COVID-19.

Drawing on Leonard Cohen’s song "Hineni," presence, impermanence, and finding meaning are skills available to all of us as we cope with COVID-19.

Anger

The Agency Roar

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on March 21, 2020

An exploration of anger in motherhood—why (and when) it surfaces, and four practical tips for coping with it.

An exploration of anger in motherhood—why (and when) it surfaces, and four practical tips for coping with it.

Trust

If You Run Away, I'll Be Right Here

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on January 21, 2020

An exploration of how imperfect parenting builds trust and resilience—and why we should abandon the unrealistic ideal of constant connection.

An exploration of how imperfect parenting builds trust and resilience—and why we should abandon the unrealistic ideal of constant connection.

Identity

Mother Matters

Tanya Cotler Ph.D. on October 6, 2019

An exploration of the need for, and importance of, agency in new motherhood—and the surprising place it’s most likely to be found.

An exploration of the need for, and importance of, agency in new motherhood—and the surprising place it’s most likely to be found.