New parenthood is a time of exponential growth for adults. All growth comes with some loss. Recognizing the things we lose when we become parents can help us process these loses. New doors open with growth but that doesn't mean we can't acknowledge that the loss hurts too.

For women this transition is confounded by the fact that despite 60 years of feminism our society still holds onto the "motherhood mystique." This mystique makes motherhood both so holy that we couldn't possibly consider paying women who raise our countries children! No, too holy to sully motherhood with money or social security!

And at the same time motherhood is devalued as menial and not worthy of pay.

The unpaid labor of women is vital to our country's economy and needs to receive credit, social security, and paid leave.

New mom's get a double whammy. They are going through the life change from adulthood to parenthood. And they are hit with the unvarnished truth about how much we devalue women's work. You are expected to sacrifice all in unpaid labor for your family. Men do not make this same sacrifice nor are there any societal expectations that they do.

Add in a wiggly little beastie who you love beyond compare and it's a set up for a great deal of angst.