The Worth of a Mother

Anna Sullivan's guest essay delves into the multifaceted experience of motherhood, blending humor and raw emotion. She begins by acknowledging her privilege, recognizing that her journey is not universally shared. Sullivan grapples with her identity shift from a free-spirited traveler to a mother responsible for two young children. She articulates the feelings of being "saddled" by the demands of motherhood, describing her daily life as a pack mule for her "unreasonable overlords. " The emotional burden of motherhood weighs heavily on her, particularly the fear of being unable to protect her children from the world's dangers.

Sullivan's reflections resonate with the struggles of many mothers who experience self-worth issues and the challenges of parenting. She emphasizes the importance of sharing these experiences to foster connection among mothers and others alike. Ultimately, her essay seeks to acknowledge the diverse emotional landscape of motherhood while offering a sense of solidarity.