לפעמים אני מתביישת להגיד לילדים שאני לא מבינה: חוויותיהן של אימהות עם מוגבלות שכלית

Background: Although the right of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) to become parents and have their own families is recognized, a significant gap remains between the formal recognition and the fulfillment of this right. To date, research has focused on the transition of women with ID to parenthood and the challenges they face in raising their children.Aim: To understand and describe the subjective experiences of mothers with ID from Jewish society while focusing on their personal development in the light of empowering approaches.Method: Eleven Jewish women diagnosed with ID or borderline intelligence, who live in the community and raise their children, were interviewed. A thematic content analysis of the interview transcripts was conducted.Results: Three main themes emerged: (1) The perception of motherhood as a natural need and as an achievable dream while facing the challenges of living with an intellectual disability; (2) The unique and complex dynamics of, on the one hand, the maternal identity empowering the women in terms of self-image and parental self-efficacy, and on the other hand, the disability identity disempowering them in these aspects; (3) The role of the extended family as both anchor and barrier.Conclusions and Implications: The findings contribute to the understanding of the unique challenges faced by mothers with ID on both individual and social levels. Professionals should support these women toward developing a more positive disability identity and, at the same time, continue to promote a discourse of strengths to leverage their positive maternal identity. Interventions with and for parents with ID should also include extended family members.