Motherhood; Facing and Finding Yourself by Lisa Marchiano was just the book that I was looking for when it came to expanding my knowledge on the transition to motherhood. As a therapist working with mothers, I have been hunting for a book that looks at our maternal history, childhood and family dynamics and how that impacts our own experience in motherhood. I found that here. I decided, as I was trying to take some notes as I read it, that there was so much insightful material that I would just buy the book when it came out!

The author is a Jungian trained therapist, that shares her knowledge and expertise through metaphor and storytelling. It reminded me very much of another book I love, Eating in the Light of the Moon by Anita Johnson that does the same, and goes back and forth between narrative and educating the reader.

Overall, it is a guide through the psychological and spiritual transformation process of motherhood and how embracing the joy as well as the darker aspects is what motherhood is as a whole.

A great resource for mothers and anyone who works with them.

Thank you to NetGally and Sounds True Publishing for the ARC!

In classic Jungian style, the author explores multiple expressions of the archetype of Mother through fairy tales, myths and fables. This book is not a “how-to” parenting manual espousing theories to inform, inspire and reassure women to be better mothers. Rather, it is a guide through the potential psychological and spiritual transformative experience of giving birth and raising a child to adulthood. Embracing both the joyful as well as the darker aspects of motherhood is a hallmark of wholeness. These aspects are liberally illustrated through vignettes of the author’s own experience as well as those of her clients.

One thing I particularly appreciated is the distinction drawn between the hero’s and the heroine’s journey. The feminine journey is characterized by a descent into the underworld or the unconscious…a journey down, rather than the masculine journey out. (One of my favorite books is Descent to the Goddess; A Way of Initiation for Women.) The author invites the reader to take this downward journey to discover the untapped wellspring of creativity and inner authority within. Each chapter has “Questions for Reflection” to support the process of self-discovery.

This book is well worth reading and would make a great focus for a women’s support group. I found myself underlining many passages to highlight the author’s compassionate wisdom.

My thanks to the author, Sounds True, and NetGalley for the privilege of reviewing a digital ARC in exchange for an independent, honest review.

This review is being posted immediately to my GoodReads account and will be posted on Amazon upon publication.

While this is not in my usual genre of books that I’m drawn to, I am so glad that I was offered the opportunity to read Motherhood. I think this is something that every mom should set aside the time to read... It one hundred percent made me feel less alone.