Episode Thirty Six: The Hallmark of a Good Mother

Hi friends,

After a couple of weeks off, I’m back with the audio episodes of my memoir, Held in Mind, for my Membership community. It asks some big questions: in the absence of a ‘well’ mother, is it ever possible to become a ‘good enough’ one yourself? Can the cycle of intergenerational maternal trauma ever be broken?

If you’re new here (hi!), you might want to head to this post and get stuck in from the beginning.

In this episode…

5th May 1946

Tom regrets what he calls a ‘lapse’ in their resolve during his last weekend at Maddiston. He imagines they’ll prefer the caravan at Auchengate after they get married, despite his stepmother’s attempts to move Uncle Willy out of the room in her house for them.

Second from left: my grandmother’s childhood home, Maddiston, Falkirk

20th November 2020

Lindsay reflects on the price she’s paid to be seen as a ‘good’ mother in the eyes of others. Asks, too, whether it’s a parent’s duty to protect children from rejection.

Hints for Mother, 1956