|
|
| Most mums get the back to work blues
|
|
|
|
New research reveals that the vast majority of mums experience a great deal of worry and anxiety when returning to work after the birth of a child.
The survey of more than 1000 new mums, conducted by the Professional Association for Childcare and Early Years (PACEY), highlights the complex emotional burden mothers face as they return to employment, with 90 per cent of mums admitting they felt anxious about returning to work for the first time.
In addition, 71 per cent said they were worried about missing their children and 48 per cent said they were concerned about not finding suitable child care.
PACEY President Penny Tassoni said the emotional strain of worrying about who would look after their children was a huge burden on new mums and that it was often underestimated.
"Our research shows how heightened anxiety is for parents when they return to work and what an incredibly stressful time it is. With the increasing pressure on mothers to achieve the perfect work/life balance, feelings of guilt, anxiety and worry are all-consuming and separation anxiety is increasingly commonplace amongst parents and children."
"The child care setting is central to mums successfully returning to work, and getting this right will have a positive impact on both mother and child," she said.
The research also showed that 56 per cent of new mums were concerned that their working arrangements would not be compatible with their family responsibilities, while 55 per cent agonised over missing key events in their child's life, such as their child taking their first steps or saying their first word.
While the main incentive to return to work was, unsurprisingly money with 75 per cent of mums looking forward to contributing to family finances and 62 per cent wanting more financial independence, the thought of money didn't alleviate their concerns.
Some 83 per cent of mums said the ability to work part-time or flexibly would lessen their anxiety, while more than half (54 per cent) said finding the right child care provider would ease their angst.
In response to the findings PACEY offer the following advice to parents returning to work:
- Do your research and plan ahead – Often child care settings have waiting lists so don't leave it until the last minute to start your search as this will add to your stress. Choose a child care setting that prioritises settling in. Watch whether other children start their day happily
- Manage the transition – don't rush settling in; be conscious it will take time for your child to develop a bond with their new carer. Once you see this bond in place you'll feel more comfortable about leaving your child
- There doesn't have to be tears – whilst separation anxiety in children and parents is common, a good-quality child care setting will have a clear plan for managing the settling in process which should allow for a smooth transition
- Talk to your child care provider – share concerns and issues and keep dialogue flowing, a strong two-way relationship will benefit all of you and provide stability for your child
- Choose quality – finding the right child care will lessen your anxiety about returning to work.
For more information on how to beat the back to work blues and help balance out the competing pressures of work and family life click here to access our library of articles.
|
|
|
|
|
