Abstract

Mothers who stopped work full time to take care of their children are often overlooked and underappreciated. This study examined how previously full-time working mother’s identity changed after the birth of their first child. 10 in depth qualitative interviews were conducted with mothers who stopped working full time and have continued to take care of their children full time. Through the pride of taking care of their children, women felt like although there was no monetary value to their work, raising their kids was more fulfilling. Mothers felt a strong change in personality, that the old self was shed, and being a mother was their central identity and role they took on. Having children was a life altering event that shifted priorities from being selfish ones to becoming selfless, a shift many mothers commented was almost effortless but the biggest change they saw in themselves.