N.Z. Mothers Speak Out About Their Experiences (Press, 18 August 1988)

In a 1988 interview, Jenny Phillips shared her personal struggles with motherhood, stating that her experience deviated from the idealised portrayals often seen in television advertisements. She felt a range of emotions such as loss of confidence, depression, and anger while managing her life at home with young children. Realising her challenges were not unique, Phillips was inspired to write a book addressing these issues, resulting in the bestseller "Mothers Matter Too." The book resonated deeply with many women, including some in their 80s, revealing a widespread reluctance to openly discuss the difficulties of motherhood. Phillips embarked on a mission to encourage honest dialogue among mothers and sought contributions to the narrative through speeches, radio talks, and personal letters. She created a questionnaire aimed at capturing mothers' unique joys and struggles, while also writing her second book, "The Mother Manual," which provided guidance on what motherhood could mean for different women. The feedback from her questionnaire was overwhelming, with around 400 responses, highlighting that many mothers were eager to share their experiences. In her writings, Phillips challenged existing stereotypes of mothers, emphasising that motherhood cannot simply be categorized as being a stay-at-home or working mother. She detailed her own varied experiences, having navigated through multiple roles: full-time homemaker, part-time worker, and joint custody arrangements. Her literature aimed to represent a broad spectrum of motherhood experiences, encompassing single mothers, grandmothers, adoptive mothers, and mothers from diverse backgrounds. Despite believing she has become somewhat of an expert in women’s mental health, Phillips was careful to state that she offers perspectives rather than definitive parenting solutions. She expressed pride in creating a platform for women to be candid about their motherhood journeys, although she acknowledged the lingering stigma that prompted many respondents to request anonymity. The issue of societal perceptions about motherhood was also addressed, with Phillips denouncing the myth that working mothers are to blame for societal problems. She argued that a simplistic return to traditional gender roles is not a viable solution in an increasingly complex world, suggesting that men and women must collaborate to shape a better society. Looking ahead, Phillips announced her intention to write a new book not focused on motherhood, but on starting a business, aiming to empower women in their professional endeavours. She reflected on her experience in building Clarity Communications with her partners, advocating for women's confidence in their abilities and knowledge, asserting that much of business relies on common sense.

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