Are maternal instincts real?/Do mothers actually love their children?

[Bodhisattva369]

Normal women love their children. If the woman happens to be a narcissist/sociopath then they WILL abuse/neglect their children. Narcissistic/sociopathic women are VERY common. Ignorant people on social media will label them as a KAREN. Very sad how clueless most people are.

[tropicalslavic]

If she's healthy and mentally sound, yes. Sometimes women are so stressed taking care of a small baby that it inhibits bonding but this is only temporary and doesn't mean you don't love them. My own mother wasn't very healthy or mentally sound and didn't treat me like she loved me until I was in my mid 20's and she had some big revelation about how we're not close because she treated me like competition since I was old enough to walk. We're mostly good now though. Most women will love their children and do the best they can for them even if they are sometimes misguided or make mistakes.