Maternal Ambivalence

Parenting

A Preteen Trapped in the Crossfire Between Separated Parents

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on May 4, 2026

There's a strong likelihood that this communication, or some version of it, is being played out at this very moment hundreds of times across the world.

There's a strong likelihood that this communication, or some version of it, is being played out at this very moment hundreds of times across the world.

Personal Perspectives

Is There an Answer to the Question, "Do I Start a Family?"

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on April 10, 2026

Personal Perspective: Many women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are currently asking themselves if they should have kids. But the answer is more complex than they think.

Personal Perspective: Many women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s are currently asking themselves if they should have kids. But the answer is more complex than they think.

Parenting

Do We Really Hear Our Adult Children?

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on March 12, 2026

It is so hard to truly hear our adult children, to meet them in a respectful dialogue without judgment and emerge from our exchanges intact.

It is so hard to truly hear our adult children, to meet them in a respectful dialogue without judgment and emerge from our exchanges intact.

Parenting

The Value of Rethinking 'How Was Your Day?'

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on February 17, 2026

Prioritizing the "and" rather than the "or" can help us embrace the messy, rich, and colorful array of human experience and feelings.

Prioritizing the "and" rather than the "or" can help us embrace the messy, rich, and colorful array of human experience and feelings.

Aging

Letting Go of Parents

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on January 19, 2026

Personal Perspective: A daughter’s struggle with letting go of her mother.

Personal Perspective: A daughter’s struggle with letting go of her mother.

Parenting

The Greek Myth of Demeter and Persephone Reinterpreted

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on January 2, 2026

The goddess Demeter's search for and ultimate reunion with her daughter, Persephone, sends symbolic messages about mothering that speak to maternal trauma and loss.

The goddess Demeter's search for and ultimate reunion with her daughter, Persephone, sends symbolic messages about mothering that speak to maternal trauma and loss.

Parenting

Two Truths Can Exist at the Same Time

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on December 8, 2025

Ambivalence, while mostly a misunderstood and undesirable notion word, holds profound meaning and potency for everyday life.

Ambivalence, while mostly a misunderstood and undesirable notion word, holds profound meaning and potency for everyday life.

Parenting

In a Conversation About Mothering, a Father's Raw Admission

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on October 23, 2025

A surprising revelation surfaces in a conversation about the complicated twists and turns of mothering.

A surprising revelation surfaces in a conversation about the complicated twists and turns of mothering.

Parenting

The Taboo and Pain of Reproductive and Maternal Loss

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on September 22, 2025

Do we really know and talk about invisible reproductive losses, such as infertility and miscarriage, and visible maternal losses, like stillbirth and SIDS?

Do we really know and talk about invisible reproductive losses, such as infertility and miscarriage, and visible maternal losses, like stillbirth and SIDS?

Parenting

Film: An Exposé of the Lived Experience of Mothering

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on August 29, 2025

Film provides a way to learn about the world and a way to reflect on taboo topics. The film “A Happy Event” exposes the truths of the first year of motherhood.

Film provides a way to learn about the world and a way to reflect on taboo topics. The film “A Happy Event” exposes the truths of the first year of motherhood.

Parenting

Mothering at the Mercy of Time

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on July 21, 2025

Quality time versus quantity time, the relief of cancelled plans, and the bliss—and cherished memories—that come out of doing nothing with our kids.

Quality time versus quantity time, the relief of cancelled plans, and the bliss—and cherished memories—that come out of doing nothing with our kids.

Parenting

Is This Really Summer Vacation?

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on June 24, 2025

As the harried routines of the school year give way to fantasies of laid-back summer holidays, here's a reminder to all moms that all of our feelings count, every day.

As the harried routines of the school year give way to fantasies of laid-back summer holidays, here's a reminder to all moms that all of our feelings count, every day.

Parenting

When Mom's Exhausted and It’s Only Monday

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on May 29, 2025

Navigating a full-time job along with full-time motherhood means tantrums, meltdowns, time-outs, and mending hugs, all before bedtime, all in the course of one day in the mom life.

Navigating a full-time job along with full-time motherhood means tantrums, meltdowns, time-outs, and mending hugs, all before bedtime, all in the course of one day in the mom life.

Parenting

The Ultimate Contradiction of Motherhood: Being There to Be Left

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on April 30, 2025

"How can we hold on and also let go gracefully?”

"How can we hold on and also let go gracefully?”

Parenting

The Power of the "Enough" Mother

Margo Lowy Ph.D. on April 2, 2025

The reality of motherhood is indeed bittersweet.

The reality of motherhood is indeed bittersweet.