Leaving your baby with carers for the first time

When your maternity leave is drawing to a close and you are getting ready to leave your baby there are normally a whole host of emotions that we experience and quite often guilt features very highly near the top of the list.

You aren’t doing anything to intentionally harm your child so why do so many of us feel guilty about leaving them?

Most people don’t have the choice to stay at home as in many households both parents need to work to ensure all of the bills and mortgage/rent are paid.

You’ve obviously researched your child’s care provider carefully. You will have gone for visits to get your child familiar with the new setting and adults that will be caring for them. Yet possibly at the back of your mind there is still that nagging voice that says that these people are strangers.

Even if you are leaving your child with a family member there will still probably be at least an element of guilt.

The bottom line is that no one can ever replace you. No one will ever do exactly what you would do with your child all day long. Even if someone is following your routine to the letter, the emotions and previous experiences that they have will alter what they say and how they respond to your child.

This isn’t always a bad thing. Someone other than the child’s parent doesn’t have the same emotional connection to the child as the parent does. I find it so much easier to deal with other people’s children throwing tantrums and displaying unwanted behaviour than I do my own children. It is easier to remain calm because other people’s children do not push my buttons like my own children do.

Also if you are still not getting a full night’s sleep you will respond differently to your child than an adult who is fully rested.

As the big day approaches keep reminding yourself that you have carried out all of the necessary checks and have settled your child in as best as you can. Keep yourself as busy as possible the first day back at work and reward yourself with lots of cuddles and kisses when you get home.

#maternityleave #backtowork #carers #work #workingparents #workingmother