Rethinking stories of transnational mothering in the context of international study

Women's migration has facilitated diverse understandings of both mothering and motherhood. Despite this, transnational mothering tends to be understood in narrowly defined terms, largely associated with economic necessity, with alternative motivations for women's migration and transnational mothering largely absent from existing literature. This research aims to contribute to literature about transnational mothering by drawing on research with mothers in the context of postgraduate international study to explore the different ways in which mothers reproduce, negotiate, contest and diversify narratives of ‘good mothering’. We also bring greater visibility to stories of transnational mothers and illuminate the other interests and aspirations that transnational mothers evoke with regards to their migration. We argue that rethinking stories of transnational mothering allows us to hear about and to value a diversity of mothers' lives, so these mothers do not have to inhabit the margins and periphery of stories of either motherhood or international student life. •We adopt a feminist narrative methodology with transnational mothers in postgraduate study.•Dominant ‘good mothering’ narratives are inadequate to make sense of transnational mothers' stories.•Transnational mothers reproduce, negotiate and diversify narratives of ‘good mothering’.•Rethinking stories of transnational mothering allows us to value a diversity of mothers' lives.