An almost Perfect Mother – New Podcast series with Isabelle Roskam

26.04.22

We are delighted to be launching our new podcast series An almost Perfect Mother featuring Isabelle Roskam, professor of development and parenting psychology at the University of Louvain, Belgium. Isabelle specializes in child behavioral disorders and parental burnout.

The weekly program covers many issues of concern to mothers including The perfect mother syndrome and the consequences of that, not just on children but the entire family.

Isabelle explains to Laurence vanden Abeele, presenter of the show and Head of MMM Belgium, how society asks a mother to raise her children as if she had no job, to work as if she had no children, and to look like a woman who has no children and no job.

Another topic the program looks at is Parental Burnout – is it a buzzword or a reality in parenting today?

The role of the father also comes under the spotlight, because parenthood obviously involves not just the mother but the father too. Isabelle tells Laurence how important it is for the father to take his place as a responsible family man, even in cases of separation.

Happy parents, happy children! tackles the key question of whether a happy mother has a more fulfilled child. Isabelle emphasizes that we tend to think only about the wellbeing of the children, forgetting that the wellbeing of the parents is just as if not more essential.

Listening to the Podcasts

Broadcast in French, you can hear the full interviews by clicking here.

Say tuned for more!

Our thanks to LouïZ Radio for the use of their studio.

If you are interested in the topics discussed and would like to learn more about the burn-out prevention tool created by Isabelle Roskam and Moïra Mikolajczak, please visit their site.

 

Most read articles

Europe Must Listen to Mothers: Our landmark report heads to the European Parliament

28.08.25

On 22 September 2025, the voices of mothers will take centre stage in Brussels. For the first time, Make Mothers Matter (MMM) will present its State of Motherhood in Europe

Lire plus

The European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan
Strengthening Support for Mothers

12.09.25

Our 2024 State of Motherhood in Europe survey of 9,600 mothers across 11 EU Member States and the UK paints a clear picture: motherhood is still not properly recognised or

Lire plus

Maternal Psychological Wellbeing: A Challenge and a Unique Opportunity

13.01.26

Wednesday 28 January 2026 | 15:15 – 17:30 GMT London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) – Live broadcast #MaternalWellbeingLSE Maternal mental health is one of the most pressing

Lire plus
See all the articlesof the category

Latest News from MMM and its Network

Landmark UN report highlights violence against mothers

04.07.26

UN Geneva – At its 62nd session, the Human Rights Council published the first UN report dedicated exclusively to mothers as right holders. Presented by Reem Alsalem, the UN Special Rapporteur on violence agai

Read more

Giving a voice to widowed mothers in Burkina Fasso

30.06.26

By Valerie Bichelmeier, MMM Head of Advocacy at the UN UN Geneva – Speaking at an event organized by Widows Rights International, on the margins of the

Read more

A Roadmap for Every Child: The EU Alliance for Investing in Children Responds to the 2026 Social Package

29.06.26

The EU Alliance for Investing in Children, of which MMM is a member, has welcomed the European Commission's 2026 Social Package as a significant step forward for children's rights and social inclusion across Eu

Read more

‘How are you, mum (really)?’ A morning at Bordeaux City Hall to break the silence on maternal mental health

24.06.26

By Angela Garcia Romero, Director of Projects at MMM On 29 May, we experienced a truly unique morning—both physically and emotionally: moving, insightful, inspiring—where we, mothers, felt seen and understo

Read more

Rethinking Cities Through Care: People, Planet and the 2030 Agenda

20.06.26

UN New York/HLPF – Register now to join us for our 2026 High Level Political Forum side-event online.

Read more

Call for a Strong Social Dimension in the Next EU Budget
EUFunds4Social Coalition

19.06.26

Ahead of discussions on the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the EUFunds4Social Coalition, of which MMM is a member, has issued an open letter urging EU leaders to safeguard and strengthen the EUâ€

Read more