FEELINGS FIRST
Leaving your baby behind to go to work can be an emotional and difficult time. It’s natural to want to be with your small baby, and feelings of guilt at leaving her in the care of someone else can be overwhelming, says psychologist Dr Janne Dannerup. “On the other hand, some women who come to me for therapy feel an equal sense of guilt for wishing to rather be with their child than contribute to the family’s economy,” she continues.
According to Dr Dannerup, many of us feel distressed when our baby reaches a new milestone in the care of another. We're also likely to acknowledge a substantial shift in our values, where things that were important to us before the baby’s birth are no longer of value.
Dr Christel Kieser-Muller, a registered counselling psychologist from Pretoria, reminds that babies need constant attention and even when you return from a hard day at the office, your baby will expect you to be there for her.
This can be tiring and stressful for a working mom. She adds, “Due to the increase in stress levels, many more mothers experience postnatal depression these days. Feelings of sadness and powerlessness are also often experienced by mothers returning to work.”
Kerry Skinner, an educational psychologist from Johannesburg, observes that moms returning to work have increased anxiety issues attributed to concerns over the competency of the caregiver to look after their child. Also, you may become anxious that your baby will become more attached to the caregiver and that as the mother, you may not be able to form a close enough attachment to your own child. You can even become overcome with worry that something may happen to the baby that will be out of your control.
All these fears are natural and it’s
