Raising Kids, Losing Roles, Redefining Self

In this episode of Secret Life of Therapists, the conversation with Jen Hawkins turns inward to explore how a mother’s identity evolves across the lifespan of her children. From the early years of total immersion to the quieter, more complex transitions of independence, motherhood is examined not as a fixed role, but as a continually shifting sense of self.The discussion unpacks the emotional, psychological, and relational changes that emerge at each stage: grief for former versions of oneself, pride in growth, and the challenge of redefining purpose as children need us differently. Thoughtful and deeply relatable, this episode offers validation, nuance, and space for mothers navigating who they are becoming alongside who their children are becoming.