Ambivalence Quote by Ina May Gaskin
““In her insightful Of Woman Born (1976), Adrienne Rich said it very eloquently: “My children cause me the most exquisite suffering of which I have any experience. It is the suffering of ambivalence: the murderous alternation between bitter resentment and raw-edged nerves, and blissful gratification and tenderness.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Of Woman Born, 1976
Motherhood can bring intense love mixed with deep, conflicting pain and ambivalence.
In simple terms: Motherhood brings love and painful ambivalence.
Accept and navigate mixed emotions.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- parenting
- self‑reflection
- counseling
- writing
- support groups
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you honor both love and pain in parenting?
- What strategies help balance ambivalence?
The quote idealifies the difficulty of reconciling love and resentment.