Re-imagining Mothering and Career: Insights from a Time of Crisis





Price: $39.95

Page Count: 216

Publication Date: September 2023

ISBN: 978-1-77258-463-9

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the global world but impacted women with children and careers disproportionately. The social, familial, and professional strains of this crisis birthed with it the opportunity to reflect on the values, expectations, lifestyle, and priorities that have defined motherhood. This book uplifts the shared consciousness of motherhood; the common veil that transcends time, region, and boundary. Part contemporary anthology, part historical narrative, and fully nestled in the tenets of psychological science, this book spotlights the awakenings of 33 mothers of varied ages, ethnicities, family compositions, and professional backgrounds in the United States as they renegotiated motherhood and career. Each reflection offers a window into the heart of a career mother, capturing the kaleidoscope of her struggles, vulnerabilities, and hopes, while empowering her insights. The reflections are bound together by themes that cut across lived maternal experiences, bringing to light a powerful creed for a life re-imagined– one that propels mothers forward in all of their roles.     

This book is an excellent weave of material that is thought provoking, provides emotional stirring, along with intensive motivation. I would read it a second time. It has reinforced my feelings of competence and independence as a mother in myriad roles, the seeking of relationships during various times in life including crisis, and movement psychologically and physically to venture down paths that derive the utmost happiness each day of my life.

- Melissa A. Bray, PhD, Professor and Director
School Psychology Program, University of Connecticut

"This is an enthralling collection, beautifully woven together with the threads of a diverse range of personal expressions of mothers to create a tapestry of mothering. These have been neatly quilted by the fibres of compassion for self, mindfulness and faith, gratitude, and embraces the readers in the warmth of poignancy of the mothers’ journeys of growth through adversity. The delicate narratives of the authors have rightfully been given a safe space in this collection.The inclusion of reflective prompts is especially appreciated and they are certainly going to be helpful to the readers to engage in reflective practices in their own life journeys. This book is undoubtedly going to be cherished by readers from all across and readers are going to keep coming back to these stories time and again."

- Ketoki Mazumdar, PhD, Department of Psychological Sciences
School of Liberal Education, FLAME University, Pune

This is a beautifully crafted book, telling the stories of mothers, who lived through an unprecedented time in the history of the world. Their stories bring to life the lived experiences of mothers during the COVID-19 pandemic. It shares their wisdom, their struggles, and how they learned to adjust to a new way of parenting. There are lessons learned about the strong bonds between mother and child and the beauty, resiliency and grace that often comes out of adversity. Every mother has their story and can relate to the myriad of emotions you will experience when reading this book.

- Kate Gawlik DNP, APRN-CNP, FAANP, FNAP

Preface

Ch. 1 Introduction
Ch. 2 Tapestry
Ch. 3 Compassion for Self
Ch. 4 Grounded in Mindfulness & Faith
Ch. 5 Choosing Gratitude
Ch. 6 Mothering in Community
Ch. 7 Growing Stronger
Ch. 8 Unveiling Agency
Ch. 9 Conclusion

Resources

Jenna A. LoGiudice, PhD, CNM, RN, FACNM is an Associate Professor and Midwifery Program Director at Fairfield University’s Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies. She formerly worked as a full scope Certified Nurse Midwife in Waterbury, CT providing holistic care to families. She continues her practice per diem, attending births. Her research centers on trauma-informed care, and in her professional roles, she values shared decision-making with her patients and students. Of all her titles, mother of four incredible kids is unrivaled. 
 
Evelyn Bilias Lolis, PhD is an associate professor of School Psychology & Special Education at Fairfield University’s School of Education and Human Development and an educational psychologist, interventionist, wellness advisor, and blogger. A Board Director for Hellenic Professional Women, Evelyn spearheads their Women’s Wellness Series. She has been interviewed extensively on parenting during the pandemic and has hosted numerous professional seminars on resiliency, wellbeing, and self-compassion for parents, schools, corporate professionals, and executive women. She is mother to two beautiful twin girls.   

Kathryn Phillips, PhD, APRN is an Associate Professor in the Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies at Fairfield University. As a nurse, she has worked in long term care, acute care, and home care. In her academic role, Dr. Kate enjoys teaching and mentoring students, especially guiding them through the research process. She strives to support each individual on their path of flourishing by focusing on holistic wellness. Four remarkable kids call her mom.