To celebrate International Women’s Day 2025, we at Laura Greenwood Therapy wanted to honour one of our main messages.
“Everything begins with a Mother.”
Laura tasked the team with reflecting on the women that have shaped them to be the people they are today. Whether this be their birth Mother, Grandmother, someone else from our Maternal Lineage or a Mother by choice.
As a team, we pride ourselves in showing you we do the work too and always want to add value to our community in whatever way we can.
We hope that through this piece, you see that what you do, as Mothers, matters. Everyday. That even in your darkest moments. Even when you feel like you are barely surviving through overwhelm, sleep deprivation, burnout, feeling lost… the list of challenges we face as Mothers goes on. That actually in those times, love can be enough.
In all of our reflections, the key theme was exactly that.
Love.
When a Mother is able to feel, give and share her love wholeheartedly, it really is like no other. We learn how to love from our Mother. Even if we did not receive the love we needed. We learnt what we needed to do it differently, from her. If this is your experience, I am truly sorry for the loss of an experience that everyone deserves.
Please read on for our reflections on our wonderful Mothers and Grandmothers.
We hope that our words inspire you to write a love letter to your own Mother, Grandmother, or any ‘Mother’ figure that has helped shape the beautiful person you are today. The team and I have found this exercise extremely therapeutic. We hope that you do too.
All of my love, always,
Laura x
Laura Greenwood
Mum. From you, I learnt how formidable the strength of a woman truly can be. I learnt this from you, and in losing you. It was a time when I too, had to step into a strength that could only be cultivated, by such a life changing event. But I first witnessed it, from you.
You taught me that I could achieve anything I set my mind to. That I can handle, whatever life throws at me.
You were the kind of mum that would shout about your pride in my achievements in the paper. So now, I wholeheartedly, own my successes, and support others to do the same. We work hard for them. We deserve to be recognised for them. Thank you for teaching me this.
I also learnt how to both love and laugh, with my whole face, eyes, heart, body and soul. I share my love openly, on my sleeve, to those that have earned the right to it, just as you did too. Sometimes this is reciprocated. Others not. I know you closed off your heart at times from pain, and I am determined to not do the same. Why? Because closing off our heart only hurts us more. Love, I believe, really is one of the key meanings of life. We get over heart ache. Wow I learnt that from losing you. But we can only do that, if we allow our heart to break to be mended in the first place.
I, and others see, your smile and laugh in mine. They are things that light up the room! They are one of a kind. They make me know, that you never really left me.
People felt your presence, your energy, before seeing it and wow. I truly believe I got that from you too.
I miss you everyday. In my quiet moments I remember how much this still hurts, and how Owen will never get the privilege of being in your light. But Mum, he has it, through me.
You are alive in our house and home, daily. We talk about you. We love you.
I will be forever grateful for all that you gave to me in this physical world for 18 years and continue to offer me from where I know you still support me.
Thank you x
Lynne Churchill
When I think about nature versus nurture, it’s pretty clear that I’ve inherited a lot from my Dad—both in how I look and my personality. On the flip side, my Mum and I are quite different, but she’s played such an important role in shaping who I am. To me, she really is the definition of nurture. She’s the calm in my chaos (thanks, Dad!), always showing patience and compassion.
My kids are lucky to have a wonderful relationship with their Gran, especially my eight-year-old daughter, who shares a really special bond with her. It’s so heartwarming to see how close they are, even though they live far apart. They not only resemble each other but also think alike, which is just lovely to witness.
Whenever we visit Northern Ireland, we talk about going “home,” even though my kids weren’t born there. Home is often thought of as a place where you feel safe, comfortable, and like you truly belong. It’s where memories are made, relationships thrive, and where you can just be yourself. At the end of the day, it’s a place that gives you security and a sense of who you are.
For us, Mum and Gran are what “home” really means and I really hope to nurture my kids the same way I was nurtured, so they’ll always feel that I’m their home, too.
As my daughter grows up, she’s starting to see the beautiful connection that ties the three of us together across generations. I’ve shown her this image, and we often smile at how amazing it is to be part of this legacy. Women truly are incredible!
Laura Batchelor
My maternal lineage is a testament to the power of love, resilience, and unwavering support.
My late Grandmother embodied strength and compassion, creating a foundation that has shaped not only my own life but also the way I nurture and guide my own two children. My Mother had this passed down and her presence in my life is marked by deep affection and attention, showing me that true love is both tender and strong, offering comfort in times of need and encouragement in moments of challenge.
Their influence lives in me, reflected in the way I parent with the same warmth and understanding they have shown me. The lessons they imparted—of kindness, patience, and unshakable support—are now being passed down to my own children, ensuring that their legacy will always endure. My own children are feeling the same love and support from their Grandma, my Mother, which is beautiful to witness. I’ve learned that strength is not just about endurance but about leading with love, a value that will remain at the heart of my family for years to come.
Suzanne Brittain
Growing up I didn’t realise just how much love and support my Mum showed for me and my siblings until I became an adult and had my own children. She was always busy, making sure we had what we needed, hot meals on the table, and a clean home, despite working 7 days a week in our busy paper shop! Despite being the busiest woman alive, we felt loved. This feeling was consistent throughout all the highs and lows that life brought to us.
My Mum’s constant love and compassion for myself and others has shaped me. I believe the path of wanting to help and support others in my work has come from seeing my Mum providing this and feeling it. I feel my own maternal voice has strengthened to one who advocates for myself and my children, to show them all the love, but also the boundaries we all need to grow and develop healthily into the people we are.
Elspeth Campbell
My Mum showed me how to love and be loved, how to be kind and accepting of others. She taught me that I could do anything I put my mind to, and when I doubted myself, she was always there, offering unwavering love and support—even in the moments when I was hard to love.
She showed me how to be a Mum, not just in the practical ways but in the deep, unspoken knowing of what it means to nurture, protect, and guide. And though she is no longer physically here, what she taught me lives on. Her love, her lessons, and her strength continue through me, and I hope they will live on in my son and in the generations to come.
Today, I celebrate her, and I celebrate all the women who have paved the way for us with their resilience, compassion, and love. May we continue to honour their legacy in the way we live, love, and lead.
Jeremy Stockdale
The words I most associate with my late maternal Grandmother – my Nana – are love, fun, safety and food.
Food is a significant memory. It was impossible to go hungry at my Nan’s house, which of course didn’t prevent me from whingeing about being starving. When this happened, as it frequently did, I would be fed. No questions asked. A welcome respite from the cruelty I endured at home, where I was often made to wait for one of only 3 mealtimes ☹
Interestingly, a few years after my Nan passed away and my Mum became a Grandmother, the food baton passed almost seamlessly to her. Suddenly, children should be seen and then fed. Immediately – none of this 3 meals nonsense – and whatever they desired. It was a fascinating shift and one which I noted somewhat ruefully came a decade or two too late for me. The kids seemed to like it though.
What my Mum and my Nan always made me feel was loved – unconditionally – and they always made me feel safe. Safe to be myself, safe to be silly, reckless, sad or joyful.
My Nan was the epitome of fun, and as well as food, I always remember her for laughter, smiles and parties. So many parties.
My Mum is the same. She continues to want to feed me and her 5 grandchildren constantly – “How about a biscuit?” – and love radiates from her with a fierceness that’s easy to take for granted.
At the age of 82 – and I know it won’t last forever – we have such fun together. We are silly, we tease each other, and sometimes we cry with laughter, mostly at ourselves and each other. I’m so blessed to have her in my life.
Love, fun, safety and food. Who could ask for anything more?
Jordan McPhail
My maternal lineage is woven with generations of strong-willed women. My great Grandma, known for “wearing the trousers,” passed down her warmth, resilience, and fierce spirit to my Grandma, who carried it forward with grace. That same strength has shaped me, and I already see glimpses of it in my one-year-old daughter. Though my Grandma passed away just three months before my daughter’s birth, her presence lives on in both of us—a legacy of love and determination that continues to unfold.
Daniella- Doon-Joseph
My maternal Grandmother passed away when my Mum was just 5 years old. As the saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child” and my Mum’s godmother raised her as her own, showering her with unconditional love. My Mum has always been my anchor and safe space—creating an environment where I felt loved, included, encouraged, and wanted. I remember her always having a snack ready in the car, genuinely caring about what I had to say, and being intentional about spending time with people she cared about and doing things that truly mattered to her.
The values she instilled in me have guided me through life’s challenges, teaching me to embrace honesty, to lean into love and friendship, own my strengths, to know that it’s okay to not be perfect, to be brave with opportunities and live meaningfully. Since becoming a Mother myself 9 years ago, our relationship has deepened even further. I have absolutely adored observing the deep love between her and my daughters and how present she is. She reminds me almost daily to “do what matters to you and take care of yourself.” If I can be even half the mother to my children that she has been to me, that would be more than enough.
Laura Greenwood Therapy
At Laura Greenwood Therapy, we are a Psychotherapists and parents, supporting parents. We understand the mental health and well-being difficulties that Mothers and Fathers face. How these challenges, go beyond the pre and postnatal period.
Since becoming a Mother, I have been passionate about changing the way we value and support ALL parents in our society. For the benefit of parent wellbeing, the wellbeing of our children, and society. If you feel that you need support from us, please do not hesitate to reach out.
We are here to serve and support you.
Laura x
