I’ve never given much thought to working mums before I became one. While I was on maternity leave and had the gift of time with my little boy every single day, I started to dread the time when I had to return to work.
I couldn’t deal with leaving him with a babysitter. I worried about him even before he went to the babysitter. The only thing that made it a little easier was that the babysitter was highly recommended by people we know, so at least I had some comfort he would be well cared for.
But that didn’t stop me from some mild separation anxiety. On my first day at work, I missed him terribly and kept wondering if he was alright. I felt the urge to call many times but held back. But seeing that he was still the happy baby he is when we picked him up after work, I knew that he was just fine and will continue to be.
It got a little easier over time. I still think of him while at work but it doesn’t tug at my heart so badly anymore. Instead, I look forward to after hours till I see him again.
It’s not easy to be a working mum. I understand that now.
