Ambivalent Quote by Laurie Foos
“I think it's still difficult to write about motherhood and anxiety, that talking about not wanting to be a mother or feeling ambivalent about motherhood makes people uneasy. The ambivalent mother is certainly much more interesting.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Podcast on Parenting and Mental Health, 2023
The quote highlights the discomfort society feels toward mothers expressing ambivalence or anxiety, noting that such honest portrayals are more compelling than idealized narratives.
In simple terms: Mothers showing mixed feelings are often ignored, yet they are more interesting.
Key Takeaway
Embrace and discuss complex feelings about motherhood.
Themes
parenting
mental health
gender roles
authenticity
Mood
reflective
empathetic
Type
analytical
thought‑provoking
When to use this quote
- writing articles
- therapy sessions
- support groups
- media representation
Key Concepts
maternal ambivalence
social stigma
psychology
Questions to Reflect On
- How can we create safe spaces for mothers to share mixed emotions?
- What impact does societal pressure have on maternal mental health?
A Different Perspective
Some may argue that focusing on ambivalence could undermine traditional family values.
![“When you 'make good,' you find out who your real friends are. You find out pretty quick. And it's a very ambivalent feeling, because you're, like, happy you found out that people are [jerkfaces], but you're kinda sad because you think, 'Wow, I wasted so much time being this person's friend.'” quote by Greg Camp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7ab/greg-camp-64349_ambivalent_when-you-make-good-you-find-out-who-your_126934.jpg)