Motherhood is often sold as “natural” and intuitive - but for so many women, it feels overwhelming, confusing and nothing like they expected. In this episode of A Millennial Mind, I sit down with parenting expert Zoe Blaskey to explore the real, science-backed identity shift of motherhood, from hormonal changes and brain remodelling to the emotional load no one prepares us for. We talk about why becoming a mum can feel like a second adolescence, how societal pressure fuels burnout, and why guilt shows up even when we’re doing our best. Zoe shares practical tools for setting boundaries, finding yourself again, strengthening your partnership, and making motherhood feel lighter, calmer and more intentional. If you’re a mum, planning to be one, or simply curious about the truth behind the transition into motherhood, this conversation will help you feel seen, supported and less alone. Who This Episode Is For ✨ Mums feeling tired, overwhelmed or burnt out Women struggling with the identity shift of motherhood (matrescence) Anyone carrying “good mother” guilt or pressure Parents wanting healthier boundaries and calmer homes People curious about the science behind motherhood What You’ll Learn ✨ Why motherhood feels harder than we’re told The science of matrescence (your “second adolescence”) How to set boundaries without guilt How to lighten the mental load How to strengthen your partnership after kids Practical ways to enjoy motherhood more of the time 00:00 Introduction to Motherhood Myths 00:08 Guest Introduction and Initial Reactions 00:17 Understanding Mares Essence 00:53 The Neuroscience of Motherhood 01:39 Podcast and Book Journey 03:44 Personal Development and Coaching 04:58 Navigating Motherhood Challenges 06:36 Self-Compassion and Resilience 29:26 Debunking the 'Having It All' Myth 41:26 The Guilt of Self-Care for Moms 42:38 The 'One for Me, One for You' Tool 43:55 Challenging the Selfless Mother Narrative 45:32 The Concept of Minimum Viable Needs 46:17 The Mental Load and Super Mom Myth 47:17 Mother Kind Toolkit: Identifying Pressure Sources 51:10 Navigating Family Expectations and Boundaries 01:08:39 The Value of Caregiving and Shared Responsibilities 01:14:42 The Physiological Changes of Parenthood 01:17:47 Final Thoughts and Self-Compassion 🔔 Subscribe for more discussions on mental health, personal growth, and healing! / @shivanipaupodcast ✨ Connect with Millennial Mind ✨ Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amillennialmind Shivani Pau Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shivani.pau Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/shivanipaupodcast Performance Planner: https://my-performance-planner.myshopify.com/ Let Me Change Your Mind 🧠

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