When Beth Caulfield discovered she was pregnant in her mid-40s, it was the last thing she expected.

Married, studying at seminary, and with almost-grown children, the pregnancy exposed cultural attitudes toward mid-life conception and, years later, inspired her debut feature film Conceivable.

The film mirrors Beth’s journey, following 45-year-old Brielle as she navigates an unexpected pregnancy and all of the emotional, ethical, and relational complexities that come with it.

“There are many women in their 40s having these pregnancies, and we get a whole lot of different advice and scare,” Beth said.

“I recognised that I wasn’t alone, and I knew it was a story that needed to be told to drum up compassion and awareness.”

In Beth’s experience, the advice women get is often mixed and confronting. 

“Friends – well-meaning friends – told me this could ruin my life,” Beth said.

“That we’d never retire and there could be problems with the baby that would cause financial concerns.

“It certainly alienated me from people who were moving on to what we’d call an ‘empty nest’ situation.”

Thankfully, alongside those fears were voices of encouragement. 

“I had wonderful people who surrounded me, saying, ‘This is the next chapter in your life. It’s exciting. It’s ordained by God,” Beth said.

“You’re not walking through it alone.’”

“People don’t recognise how common these unplanned pregnancies are,” Beth said. 

“I was just talking to a pregnancy centre in a university town, and they told me most of the women coming in with unplanned pregnancies are over 35. It surprised even them.”

The conversation surrounding older motherhood, she explained, often overlooks the complexity of women’s real lives. 

“What gets headlines are fertility issues or people waiting to have kids later,” Beth said.

“But we don’t talk about surprise pregnancies – and how society reacts to them. It’s either treated like a miracle or a mistake, depending on who you ask.”

Beth describes Conceivable as “faith-informed, not faith-based.” 

“Often, faith-based films show one theological view only,” Beth said. 

“I wanted to represent the variety of experiences and beliefs people hold, even within the church. 

“Everyone’s not perfect, and we all walk through challenges.”

Now nearing 60, Beth sees this season as a reminder that new beginnings don’t have an expiry date. 

“Every step has been risky,” Beth said. 

“But that’s where growth happens. 

“Whether it’s starting a prison ministry or making a film, I’ve learned that if it’s scary, you’re probably exactly where you’re supposed to be.”

For more information about Conceivable, visit their website.

Article supplied with thanks to Hope Media.

Feature image: Supplied

For many people, the word “mother” stirs up feelings of love, safety, and warmth. But for others, it carries a more complicated weight, marked by unmet needs, emotional distance, or even deep wounding.

This ache is often called the mother wound, and it can quietly shape a person’s sense of identity, worth, and relationships long into adulthood.

It’s not about blame. It’s about understanding.

Because whether your mother was emotionally unavailable, critical, inconsistent, or absent, healing isn’t about dishonouring her. It’s about honouring the parts of you that were never fully seen, held, or nurtured.

What Is the Mother Wound?

The mother wound refers to the emotional pain and patterns that develop when a mother, intentionally or not, fails to meet her child’s core emotional needs. This wound can manifest in adulthood as:

• Chronic self-doubt or low self-worth
• Perfectionism and people-pleasing
• Difficulty setting boundaries
• Fear of rejection or abandonment
• Trouble forming or maintaining secure relationships
• Shame about having needs or emotions

Psychologist Dr. Jasmin Lee Cori, author of The Emotionally Absent Mother, explains:

“Children don’t need perfect mothers. They need attuned mothers, those who consistently meet their emotional needs. When that attunement is absent, the child often grows up feeling emotionally invisible.”

The Impact: When Childhood Wounds Follow Us Into Adulthood

The mother wound isn’t just a distant ache from the past, it often lingers in the present, shaping how we think, feel, and relate to others.

Research in psychology and attachment theory shows just how deep that impact goes. According to renowned psychologist John Bowlby, a child’s earliest relationship, usually with their mother, becomes the blueprint for how they’ll connect with others for the rest of their life. If that bond was inconsistent, unavailable, or emotionally unsafe, it leaves a mark.

A 2015 study in Personality and Social Psychology Review found that adults who experienced maternal neglect or emotional distance were significantly more likely to struggle with anxiety, depression, and intimacy.

And a 2021 study in Frontiers in Psychology discovered that unresolved conflict with one’s mother is often linked to emotional dysregulation and a more fragile sense of self.

In other words, if you’ve ever felt like your reactions are “too much,” or your relationships are harder than they should be, you’re not broken. You’re carrying patterns that were wired into you when your needs weren’t fully met.

It’s not just in your head. It’s in your nervous system. It’s in your coping. It’s in the quiet way you tell yourself to “not need too much.”

But here’s the beautiful truth: what was once wired in can be rewired. With awareness, compassion, and healing relationships, those old patterns can shift. You’re not stuck. You’re becoming.

Healing the mother wound doesn’t require having a new mother. It requires becoming the kind of caregiver to yourself that you always needed. It’s about re-parenting the parts of you that were left holding emptiness, shame, or fear.

“You don’t have to remain loyal to your suffering. Healing means breaking generational cycles and choosing something better.”- Dr. Thema Bryant, Psychologist & Author.

Five Steps to Begin Healing the Mother Wound

1. Acknowledge What Was Missing: Without Minimising It

Many people struggle to validate their pain because they “had a roof over their head” or their mother “did the best she could.” While both may be true, they don’t cancel out your unmet emotional needs.

Give yourself permission to say: “I wasn’t nurtured in the way I needed, and that mattered.”

Validation is the first act of emotional repair. You cannot heal what you keep excusing.

2. Understand Her Limitations, But Don’t Inherit Them

Part of healing involves understanding your mother’s own story. Many mothers carried unhealed trauma, emotional immaturity, or cultural pressures they never learned to name.

Dr. Gabor Maté, renowned trauma expert, explains: “Children often assume the fault lies with them. But most dysfunction is multigenerational, passed down, not born in.”

Understanding your mother’s story can lead to compassion, but be careful: understanding is not the same as excusing. Healing requires that you break the pattern, not carry it forward.

3. Reconnect With Your Inner Child

The mother wound lives in the part of you that still longs to be seen, soothed, safe, and secure. Inner child work, a practice used in trauma-informed therapy, helps reconnect with these unmet needs and begin to meet them with care and compassion.

Try asking yourself:

• What did I need to hear that I never heard?
• When did I start believing I was too much or not enough?
• What would a loving mother say to me in this moment?

Journaling, visualisation, and speaking gently to yourself in second person (“You’re safe now. I see you.”) are simple ways to begin re-parenting.

4. Develop Self-Compassion as a New Default

Shame is one of the most common by-products of the mother wound. We carry an internalised voice that criticises, invalidates, or demands perfection—often mirroring the mother figure we had.

According to Dr. Kristin Neff, self-compassion researcher, self-compassion is linked to reduced anxiety, greater emotional resilience, and healthier relationships.

“Self-compassion is treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer to someone you love.”

Replacing the inner critic with a nurturing inner voice is a powerful way to rewrite the story.

5. Seek Safe, Healing Relationships

Although the mother wound begins in relationship, it is also healed in relationship.

This might be through therapy, spiritual mentorship, trusted friends, or support groups. What matters is having safe people who reflect back to you what love, trust, and emotional presence really look like.

Research by Dr. Sue Johnson (2004) found that emotionally safe relationships help to reshape the brain’s attachment wiring, offering healing even when early attachment was insecure.

“We are hurt in relationship, and we heal in relationship.” – Sue Johnson

A Word for Those on a Faith Journey

If you’re a person of faith, it may help to know: God’s love includes nurturing. In Scripture, God reveals himself with both fatherly and motherly imagery: “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you.” (Isaiah 66:13)

Your spiritual walk can become a place of re-parenting, where the love you longed for is not denied, but fulfilled in a deeper, healing relationship with God.

Healing the mother wound is not about bitterness, it’s about freedom.

You are allowed to grieve what you didn’t get. You are allowed to create something different. You are allowed to mother your own soul with gentleness and grace.

Because that healing is not just for you, it’s for the generations to come. “When we heal ourselves, we heal the lineage before and after us.” – Dr. Edith Eger

About the Author: Sabrina is a pastor and a psychologist who is dedicated to helping people experience wholeness and growth. Passionate about building healthy families, she spends her days raising kids, supporting clients, and creating resources that inspire freedom and hope.

Article supplied with thanks to Sabrina Peters.

Feature image: Canva

Channel Seven’s AFL commentator Abbey Holmes recently gave birth to a healthy baby boy. She returned to work seven weeks later, a decision that drew both praise and criticism.

While many supported her, some online commentators questioned whether it was too soon.

Responding to Online Backlash

Abbey is currently working a two-day week under a part-time arrangement. Still, online critics raised concerns about her recovery post-C-section and whether she was prioritising her baby’s needs.

But Abbey responded with calm clarity. “If my baby hadn’t been healthy and settled, I wouldn’t have returned so early,” she explained. She also pointed out that every new mum’s situation is different: “There’s no one-size-fits-all guideline for new mums.”

With strong family support, Abbey felt ready and able to step back into work life even if only for a few days a week.

Parenting is a Team Effort

Critics also took issue with her husband being left on “babysitting duty.” Abbey was quick to shut that down. “Dads don’t babysit their own children. They’re 50% of the parenting duo.”

It’s a timely reminder that parenting is a team effort and one that looks different for every family. Some mums return to work early out of necessity. Others choose to stay home for years. Both choices are valid.

“We shouldn’t be shaming new mums as they try to navigate this. We all come from different walks of life and different stories,” Leah shared.

Other Stories

Sarah shared: “With our first baby, I barely scraped by with six months leave due to planting a church and tight finances. With my second and third, I managed a year off, though I deeply wish I could’ve afforded two.” She added that daycare and grandparent support have made all the difference.

Karen said: “I had three children. I took six months off for all of them. As a single mum, I had to go back to work part-time. I felt bad, but it was what I had to do.”

To that, a heartfelt encouragement – “To all the single parents out there, I honestly don’t know how you do it. You are just amazing.”

No two parenting journeys are the same. Support systems, financial pressure, and personal conviction all play a part in when and how parents return to work.

Article supplied with thanks to Sonshine.

Feature image: Canva

Every mother wants to give her baby the best start in life. But for many, especially in vulnerable communities, that desire is met with real challenges such as limited access to healthcare and postnatal support, the pressure to return to work and harmful myths about breastfeeding. 

In countries like Bolivia, local churches are walking alongside new mothers by offering practical support, encouragement and guidance during the first critical years of a child’s life.

Rosa, Sandra and Danielly are all mothers with several children. But it wasn’t until they joined Compassion’s Mums and Babies program at their local church that they began to understand the importance of breastfeeding.

“With my other children, I didn’t know much about breastfeeding—how to do it, until what age or when,” says Danielly, a 21-year-old mum of three boys. “In the program, I learned that the mother’s milk is very nutritious and healthier for them.”

Sandra adds, “We’ve been encouraged to keep breastfeeding until at least six months, when possible. I also learned that talking and connecting with your baby while you feed them is important too.”

For many mothers in poor communities, daily life brings pressures that make breastfeeding more difficult. Rosa shares: “My husband works as a bricklayer, and I used to help him. So I didn’t have time to stay with my baby and breastfeed him. But I learned the importance of doing it until they are at least six months.”

Every feeding journey is different and not every mother can breastfeed. Mothers around the world, regardless of economic or social circumstances, face challenges when feeding their babies.

Local church workers like Ruth come alongside each woman with grace and patience. “Many mothers give up,” she says. “But we give constant encouragement.”

Through Compassion’s Mums and Babies program, women are finding a safe and trusted space where harmful myths are replaced with reliable information and where they’re met with hope, care and community as they nurture their babies and give them best start possible.

Article supplied with thanks to Compassion Australia.

Feature image: Supplied and used with permission.

It’s 3am, and my seven-month-old baby boy is sleeping. I’m 38 years old and have a beautiful husband. I’ve travelled the world, have had life experiences good, bad, and ugly. I babysat when I was younger and was heavily involved with my niece’s upbringing.

Yet, nothing really prepared me for motherhood.

I grew up hearing that God will not give you more than you can handle. While I could recite it from memory, it didn’t really feel like I could handle it.

I wasn’t looking for cheap thrills and quick fixes—I needed some deep-down soul food. So, I found myself searching the scriptures and crying out, “God, I need your help!”

There, in those quiet moments, living off 3-4 hours of sleep, with stained clothes, messy hair, and tear-streaked cheeks, gazing at the most wonderful little face, I found myself recalling God’s promises on my life, such as Lamentations 3:22-23 – “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

I wish I could tell you that after reading those words, everything changed, and I didn’t struggle anymore, and God took away my challenges. But that’s not what happened.

What I needed in those moments was to know that God could see me, that He was aware of what I was going through. And while I felt forgotten by the world, He had not forgotten me. What I needed wasn’t rescue; I needed faithfulness. Just like my child didn’t need some special super-human display, he just needed me to be faithful in my efforts as a mother—and that is what I needed from my good Father: faithfulness to give me what I needed in each and every moment.

The Faithfulness That Carries Us

It was this hope that helped me talk back to the devil when he tried to steal my motherhood joy away. The exhaustion, the frustration, the doubts—they don’t define this season. Motherhood is hard, but it’s also sacred—a unique season where we can experience God’s steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness in new and profound ways.

God reaches us on any and every level we are at, especially motherhood. When I felt worried and anxious, I remembered that God sees me, cares for me, and will provide what I need. I can rest from my fears and anxieties, handing them to Him. Just like so much of motherhood is rinse and repeat, when we find ourselves worrying again, we simply go back daily to God in prayer and dependence, surrendering ourselves and our situations to Him.

Motherhood: A Sacred Awakening

Motherhood has helped me wake up to myself and has also awakened my faith in God—believing more deeply in His word and seeing that in it, He has given us all that we need. And a little bit of coffee always helps too.

Happy Mother’s Day, you Warriors! Keep on keeping on and give it to God.

Article supplied with thanks to Rhema 99.7.

Feature image: Canva

Hey Mumma! This one’s for you – a heartfelt tribute of appreciation and recognition of your endless service and selfless sacrifice.

I know how often motherhood can feel like a whirlwind of sleepless nights, trying tantrums, and high expectations. But remember, “In the midst of it all, you are chosen, seen, and more than enough.” I pray these 8 simple truths remind you of that.

1 – You Are Chosen

God handpicked you to raise your child! It wasn’t random, it was intentional.

He saw something unique in you, something that made you the perfect fit for this role (and your child).

It’s easy to fall into the trap of comparison, especially in today’s world where we’re bombarded with images of seemingly perfect families. But here’s the beautiful truth: God didn’t compare you to anyone else when He chose you. He saw your heart, your strengths, your potential, and He knew that you were exactly what your child needed.

So remind yourself daily, “God chose me!” He saw all of your imperfections and still believed that you were the best person for the job. Embrace this truth in your relationships—with your child, your spouse, and with God Himself. Let it deepen your sense of purpose and strengthen your connection to those around you. You are not alone in this journey; you are chosen, loved, and supported every step of the way.

I love what 1 Peter 2:9-10 says, “But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God’s instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.”

2 – You Are Seen

Feeling invisible or overlooked is a common experience for many mothers (I know I’ve felt this way too), especially when so much of your time and energy is devoted to nurturing others.

But just remember visibility doesn’t equal value in God’s economy.

God so often does His best work (in us and through us) in the secret places of our lives.

Author and mother Nicole Johnson recounts discovering this for herself the night her friend gave her a book on cathedrals. She began to realize that most people would never recall who built the many great cathedrals around the world. Yet, these builders literally sacrificed their lives and expected no credit.

The passion of their building was fueled by their faith that the eyes of God saw everything.

“It was almost as if she heard God whispering to her about her own journey of motherhood, “I see you. I see the sacrifices you make every day, even when no one around you does. No act of kindness you’ve done, no sequin you’ve sewn on, no cupcake you’ve baked, no last-minute errand is too small for Me to notice and smile over. You are building a great cathedral, but you can’t see right now what it will become. But I see.”

When I choose to view myself as a great builder—instead of the invisible mum—I keep the right perspective.

In her blog, Nicole continues to share her story. The author of the book went so far as to say that no cathedrals would ever be built in our lifetime because there were so few people willing to sacrifice themselves to that degree. I disagree.

As mothers, we are building great cathedrals. We cannot be seen if we’re doing it right—which is why we may feel invisible some days. But one day, it is very possible that the world will marvel, not only at what we have built but at the beauty that has been added to the world by the sacrifices of invisible mothers.

“She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.” – Genesis 16:3 (NIV)

3 – You’re Graced For This

Yes, you, with your doubts and fears, your imperfections and insecurities. You are uniquely equipped for this journey as a mother! And when you feel like you’re at the end of your rope, you’re at the beginning of His.

“But He answered me, “My grace is always more than enough for you, and my power finds its full expression through your weakness.” So I will celebrate my weaknesses, for when I’m weak, I sense more deeply the mighty power of Christ living in me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9-11 (TPT)

And I know it doesn’t always feel like it, but good enough is actually enough! In fact, it seems to be a regular occurrence on this wild adventure called motherhood. We fall short of our own expectations but can pick ourselves up and fall forwards, stumbling all the way.

It’s in the messy, imperfect reality of motherhood that you unearth the profound beauty of extending grace to yourself and others, sincere apologies, deep breaths, and personal growth.

4 – What You Do Matters

I’m convinced that God’s purpose in our lives often looks pretty ordinary.

It’s the candid conversations we have with our kids that shape the way that they view themselves, others, and God. It’s the moments we apologise when we miss the mark that foster deeper trust and connection within the family unit. It’s the times that we pray as a family and see God answer our prayers supernaturally that the bonds of faith are reinforced.

Through everyday interactions, in the simplest of ways, we pass down essential values, impart meaningful perspectives, and equip our children with the tools they need to navigate life’s with confidence and compassion.

Romans 12:1 (MSG) puts it like this, “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for Him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognise what He wants from you, and quickly respond to it.”

Embracing your purpose simply requires you to surrender what’s in your hand, right now. So, just like that verse says, take your everyday responsibilities, routines, and duties and give them to God. Because what may seem mundane becomes oh so magnificent when surrendered to Him!

5 – Your Time Is Never Wasted (It’s Invested)

May these words put courage in your bones and remind you of the profound privilege and opportunity you carry as a parent.

“Your most significant contribution to the Kingdom might not be a deed but rather the person you nurture.” – Andy Stanley

Nobody will have as great an impact on your child as you do! Be intentional. Teach them the Word. Show them how to worship. Call out the gifts and graces that you see on their life. Model faith. Repent regularly. Be present. Just like a seed takes time to bear fruit, what you sow into the life of your child may not be seen until years down the track, but keep nurturing the seed because one day there will be so much to show for it.

Research shows that these early years are vital for developing lifelong patterns of attachment, emotional regulation, and self-esteem, so never doubt the importance of your efforts. You’re helping to lay a strong foundation that will empower your child to leap into their future with confidence.

6 – Your Prayers Are Powerful

There’s something so powerful about the prayers of a faith-filled mother!

As James 5:16 affirms, “The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) can accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].” So, don’t hold back—let your prayers flow freely! Continually speak forth God’s Word and promises over your family with unwavering faith and conviction.

Your prayers are not merely words; they are dynamic forces, empowered by the divine, capable of bringing life, hope, ane transformation in the lives of those you love. Keep pressing on, keep believing, and watch as your prayers shape destinies and move mountains.

7 – You’re More Than Enough (In God)

It’s so easy to feel inadequate or ill-equipped on this journey of motherhood. I know I have, many times. But, the truth is, you are enough. I am enough. Not on our own, but in Him. Because of Him. When we’re weak, He is strong. When you’re confused, He brings clarity. When we’re empty, He fills us up.

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you, there is more of God and His rule.” – Matthew 5:3 (TPT)

Galatians 6:4-5 (MSG) says, “Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don’t be impressed with yourself. Don’t compare yourself with others. Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.”

Stop looking at her, and just be you. Fix your eyes on what God says about you and all that He has called you to.

8 – You Can Walk In Peace

Amidst the whirlwind of motherhood, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stretched thin, but take heart, for the Word of God offers us a promise of peace even in the midst of chaos.

1 Peter 5:7 (AMP) reassures us, “Casting all your cares (all your anxieties, all your worries, all your fears) upon Him, for He cares for you.”

This verse encapsulates the profound truth that God intimately knows and deeply cares for each one of us. Like a loving Father, He doesn’t want us to bear our burdens alone. Whatever weighs heavy on your heart today, surrender it to Him. His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and His shoulders are broader than yours. Trust in His unfailing love and find solace in His comforting presence, knowing that He tenderly watches over you with boundless compassion and care.

About the Author: About the author: Sabrina is a pastor and a psychologist who is dedicated to helping people experience wholeness and growth. Passionate about building healthy families, she spend her days raising kids, supporting clients, and creating resources that inspire freedom and hope.

Article supplied with thanks to Sabrina Peters.

Feature image: Photo by Hollie Santos on Unsplash