Chodorow, author of 'The Reproduction of Mothering' Her expertly presented material provides the lively underpinning of this compelling book.'-Nancy J. 'The Monster Within' presents richly nuanced and detailed cases that give the reader a sense of what these difficult feelings of ambivalence are, as they are experienced day to day, consciously and unconsciously. Barbara Almond, an experienced psychiatrist and psychoanalyst, shows us how and why this is so. Such feelings are particularly scary for mothers, and Dr. This is essential reading for mothers, in psychotherapy or not, for fathers, and for therapists, including male therapists who will become better able to see women's bodies and motherhood from a woman's perspective.'-Stanley Coen, M.D.About the Book 'Psychoanalysis has always addressed the monster within: conflicts, fears, and those unacceptable feelings of anger, envy, and hatred with which we all grapple. Her evocative clinical and literary stories make ambivalence a bit easier for mothers to bear. 'Barbara Almond's book is a wonderful new resource for helping mothers, especially new mothers, to tolerate that love between them and their children must be burdened by resentment. This book is enormously useful to mothers, clinicians and anyone else interested in the psychology of motherhood.'-Daphne de Marneffe, author of Maternal Desire: On Children, Love, and the Inner Life Almond's fresh insights and perspectives regarding maternal ambivalence help us to become more comfortable with these feelings. Chodorow, author of The Reproduction of Mothering

The Monster Within presents richly nuanced and detailed cases that give the reader a sense of what these difficult feelings of ambivalence are, as they are experienced day to day, consciously and unconsciously. This well-written text draws one to the ultimate conclusion that we must accept maternal ambivalence as a normative adaptation in order to encourage growth and development of children and mothers.” - Psyccritiques “Should be included with every copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting.” - 'Psychoanalysis has always addressed the monster within: conflicts, fears, and those unacceptable feelings of anger, envy, and hatred with which we all grapple. Recognizing the normalcy of these feelings and their appropriate manifestation will serve the public health by freeing mothers from fear, doubt, and guilt. Mothers, soon-to-be mothers, and people who have mothers will read this book and breathe a collective sigh of relief.” - Foreword “The text has clear value as a cautionary tale of what can go wrong when we refuse to acknowledge maternal ambivalence. Being a “good enough” mother is…good enough. Mothers, soon-to-be mothers, and people who have mothers will read this book and breathe a collective sigh of relief.” - Foreword “Almond has given mothers everywhere a gift: freedom from the chains of the myth of the perfect mother. Being a ‘good enough’ mother is…good enough. “Almond has given mothers everywhere a gift: freedom from the chains of the myth of the perfect mother. Almond, a psychoanalyst, offers an optimistic message about the roots of these mixed emotions.” - The Washington Post Recommended If: The last book you’d ever pick up is one about motherhood.” - Bitch “Takes on the taboo of maternal ambivalence. ‘The Monster Within’ addresses what everybody knows, but almost nobody talks about: Even the best mothers among us will be or have been tormented from time to time by strong feelings of dread, fear, hatred and even revulsion at the whole process of motherhood, as well as experiencing downright murderous feelings toward our children.” -Carolyn See Washington Post Book World “Though it’s not a how-to for battling maternal ambivalence, The Monster Within is a smart, cohesive read, and a welcome respite from perfect-mother guidebooks. Sons, husbands, dads and lovers might profit from reading this, too. An oddly compelling read.” - New Yorker “Myth-shredding look at maternal ambivalence.” - Ms Magazine “First, let me recommend this engrossing study to every new mother, old mother, good mother and bad mother.

Drawing on her thirty-seven years of practice as a psychoanalyst as well as her own experiences as a mother, Almond leads an adventurous tour through the shadowy, secret parts of the mother’s psyche. Reviews “Just the thing for a gray and drizzly autumn afternoon.

The monster within us