Rethinking Who You Are After Having Kids with Bronte Taylor

People often imagine that parenthood clicks into place the moment a baby arrives. For many, the emotional changes, the exhaustion and the adjustment to a new sense of self are far more complex than expected.

In this episode, I speak with Accredited Mental Health Social Worker Bronte Taylor about what it really feels like to lose and rebuild parts of yourself after becoming a parent.

We talk about how motherhood can bring joy and pride while also bringing grief, disorientation and a sense of invisibility. Bronte shares her own experience, the concept of matrescence, and why mums often feel guilty when they try to meet their own needs.

We explore:

• What matrescence is and why more people need to know about it
• Why motherhood can shake your sense of identity
• How childhood and family patterns show up in parenting
• Why mums struggle to put themselves first
• How to start setting boundaries without drowning in guilt
• The power of being seen, heard and validated instead of being fixed

Connect with Bronte

• Instagram: @bronte_heartfelttherapy
• Centre Self Collective
• Heartfelt Therapy

Resources mentioned

• If Women Rose Rooted by Sharon Blackie
• Dr Sophie Brock’s Motherhood Studies
• Motherkind  Book by Zoe Blaskey
• https://www.heartfelttherapy.com.au/
• https://centreself.com.au/ 
• Matrescence: On the Metamorphosis of Pregnancy, Childbirth and Motherhood Book by Lucy Jones
• https://self-compassion.org/

Connected Teens

https://marievakakis.com.au/connected-teens/

Connect with Marie

https://thetherapyhub.com.au/

https://marievakakis.com.au/

https://www.instagram.com/marievakakis/

Submit a question to the Podcast

https://forms.gle/nvNQyw9gJXMNnveY6

Mentioned in this episode:

Join me live Jan 28th for the Relationship New Year Reset https://marievakakis.com.au/relationship-new-year-reset-2026/