Attention Quote by Elizabeth Berg
“Well, most women are full to the brim, that's all...We are, most of us, ready to explode, especially when our children are small and we are so weary with the demands for love and attention and the kind of service that makes you feel you should be wearing a uniform with "Mommy" embroidered over the left breast, over the heart...If a stranger had come up to me and said, "Do you want to talk about it? I have time to listen," I think I might have burst into tears at the relief of it.”
About This Quote
The speaker describes feeling overwhelmed by maternal duties and yearning for a listening ear, suggesting that simple empathy could provide profound relief.
In simple terms: Mothers feel exhausted and crave empathetic listening.
Key Takeaway
Seek or offer compassionate listening.
Themes
parenting
emotional labor
mental health
Mood
empathetic
hopeful
Type
advice
reflective
When to use this quote
- parent‑teacher meetings
- support groups
- friend conversations
- counseling sessions
Key Concepts
caregiver burnout
social support
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we create lasting support for caregivers?
- What small acts of listening make a difference?
A Different Perspective
Listening alone may not solve systemic pressures on mothers.
![“I went to a mosque in Philadelphia with [my wife] in December 24, 1999. And we we went to this mosque in Philly, and I just had such a strong reaction to the prayer. And I was really emotionally - I felt really grounded at that time. And so to be in this prayer and the imam is doing the prayer in…” quote by Mahershala Ali](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/d31/mahershala-ali-6687_attention_i-went-to-a-mosque-in-philadelphia-with_3083.jpg)
