This is a work in progress so please let me know if you have read, seen or heard about something that could be of interest to other mothers.
Books
Whats a Smart Woman Like You Doing At Home, Linda Burton, Janet Dittmer and Cheri Loveless – This is one of the first books I read regarding at home motherhood that really resonated with me and touched a place in my heart (I cried quite a bit reading this as certain stories expressed exactly how I was feeling). Stories from at home mothers with narrative and common themes. Not sure if it’s that available – let me know if you have a problem finding a copy to sink you’re teeth into.
Maternal Desire, Our children, Love and the Inner Life, Daphne De Marneffe. Looks at a womans desire to mother her children – not just have children but care for them on a day to day basis too and the effects of this desire on their lives. Looks at cultural influence, political, psychological aspects.
Mothers Matter Too – A book for New Zealand women at home, Jenny Phillips This is an interesting read around some of the negative feelings including lack of confidence, low self-esteem, low status and depression that many women at home have. It’s not all doom and gloom though but does paint a great picture of why women can feel these things with a societal perspective too.
Websites
www.parentsaspartners.co.nz – A group set up to lobby for parents to be recognised as legal partners for income tax purposes when one is at home. Some interesting reading too and Christina Reymer, founder is very involved in motherhood issues and research.
www.mothersmatter.co.nz – Support for pregnancy and post-natal mental health