The return to work after maternity leave is an important transition that involves organizational tasks and a mix of emotions. Taking the time to process feelings will help you feel more grounded in the office.
As mothers we are biologically programmed to take care of the needs of everyone in the family. But we need to make space for taking good care of ourselves too. This starts with assuring our basic needs are met everyday.
Technology enables moms to multitask more easily but more is expected of modern parents. Even in households espousing gender equality, women tend to take on more of the childcare and household responsibilities, as well as the corresponding mental load. Dads can ease this burden by taking more initiative and following through.
Motherhood is often not what we understood or imagined it would be based upon our observations of our own mothers. While growing up, we often failed to see the behind the scenes work and effort that we now experience first hand.
Separation can make it feel like life as you knew it has come to an abrupt halt. It may seem overwhelming to make necessary decisions, such as where to live or work. Making decisions is empowering and can set you on a path forward. Viewing decisions as subject to future revision as circumstances change may help.
Co-parents can reach agreements regarding how new significant others will be introduced to the children. These provisions stem from a recognition that each family member will adjust to the separation at a different pace. While these agreements require effort and compromise, they can reduce conflict.
Allegations of alienation are common in high conflict divorce matters. It can be difficult to distinguish alienation and gate-keeping..The emptiness of a parent’s home when the children are with the other parent and the grief that the parent experiences while missing the children can contribute to these patterns.
Valentine’s Day can cause you to reassess where you are in terms of intimate relationships. Anxiety can creep in as friends find partners. Staying true to yourself, letting go of relationships that truly aren’t working, and remaining open to all the possibilities around you can lead you to your own special person.
If you’re separated and trying to work out how you will make decisions for the children going forward, it’s quite possible that you will encounter the term, “tie-breaker authority.” When decision-making is shared and co-parents disagree, tie-breaker authority allows one co-parent to make the decision.
