Motherhood Is Not Martyrdom Not A Lifetime of Sacrifice
By: Jillian Amodio
M
otherhood is not martyrdom. What is martyrdom,
and the occasional tantrum counts. It has long been a societal
specifically Motherhood Martyrdom? Motherhood
norm that the mother is the emotional glue, the healer of hearts,
Martyrdom is when a woman feels the need to
and the keeper of schedules when it comes to maintaining the
completely give up their own wants and needs
emotional wellbeing and logistical maintenance of the family as a
once they become a mother. It is no secret that motherhood requires great sacrifice. As mothers, we sacrifice our bodies to grow and/or nurture a young life. We sacrifice our hearts to love another being more than we ever thought possible. We sacrifice
whole. It is important to remember who we are as individuals and not identify ourselves only by our relation to others.
our sleep, our personal space, our privacy, our time, and so much
Change Is Challenging
more. Motherhood by the nature of the job entails a lifetime of
Even the most self assured woman can easily become so lost in
sacrifice. And yet, motherhood is still a role that brings great honor,
the role of motherhood that she no longer remembers the woman
joy, and fulfillment to many. Motherhood is many things, but one
she once was. All of a sudden it is as though the world has shifted
thing it is not, is martyrdom.
and the central focus is on the child while the mother remains
Motherhood is a job unlike any other mainly because we are thrown into it with virtually no training and gain from it no compensation, unless getting paid in hugs, kisses, handmade gifts,
10 • BIG BOOK OF HEALTH 2022 • ChesapeakeFamily.com
somewhere off in the peripheral, a constant figure, needed, but rarely noticed. The woman of course, has always existed, but the mother
