How to deal with back to work guilt

Returning to work after having a baby can often leave mums feeling guilty because they are not with their little one.

There are many reasons why mums go back to their 9-to-5 jobs.Some do so out of financial necessity while others return for personal career goal reasons. Whatever their reasons for returning to the work place, mums will quite often be left with overwhelming feelings of guilt.

Whether you are working full time or part time, it’s important for mums to understand that these guilty feelings are normal and that it is possible to work through them, so that they can have a happy and healthy home/work balance.

The most important thing that a working mother can do is provide a caring and like-minded minder for their little one while they are not there. Many mums feel that they are doing their child a disservice by not being with them 24/7, but if your little one is being cared for by a loving and trusting individual, the child can benefit from the extra love and attention that they have bestowed on them. Their interactions with different adults and other children will also help them to develop into confident and well-rounded people.

Just because you spend time away from your little one during the week doesn’t mean that you are not being a devoted and loving mum. Your job is to provide your child with love and security and by placing them in the capable hands of an experienced childminder then you are doing your job right. And, if you know your little one is being cared for in a happy and loving environment, you will be able to relax and enjoy your time at work.

It is important that working mums find time for themselves. Quite often they feel guilty enough taking time to go to work that they won’t want to spend time doing other things they like. But with a little bit of planning and preparation, working mums can still enjoy hobbies, a career and spend quality time with their baby.

Working mothers will no doubt receive criticism for their choice to go back to work, but by trusting your skills as a parent and having confidence in your decision you will be able to brush aside any criticism that may be thrown at you.