If you and your partner have already discussed how you are going to share the new work load, the next stage is discussing how you can make some time for each other once the baby has arrived. Try to arrange for a baby-sitter to come at least once a month, or better still once a week, so parenting doesn’t take over every single waking second of your lives.
Look into the possibilities of nanny sharing or, if you are not working full time, see if you can arrange a “baby-swap” with another mother. Find out about courses or activities that offer child care. This is an ideal way o meet friends, take up an interest, or increase your qualifications while your child is cared for and socialized with other children his own age.
Spending time apart from your child doesn’t necessarily make you a worse parent – in fact, in most cases it makes you a better one. If you spend all your time with your child, he will develop unrealistic expectations of relationships in general and is likely to become overly demanding of friends and teachers alike.
Moreover, although your child needs a close and loving relationship with you, it is a mistake to think that he needs your company every second of the day. He will gain confidence and valuable social skills by learning to interact with other adults and children.
Handing over
Your baby doesn’t need you every minute of the day, so let someone else take care of him now and then while you go out.
