On working, again

[kleinemeisje]

I don't know why I feel so compelled to write about working and mothering, but it's such a tricky thing, and no where do I ever really feel validated in my choices. That's not entirely true, of course, Laurens is a huge support and he's always telling me that Ansel's doing great even though I'm working. But out in the rest of the world, there are

Comments

[abigailvr]

You can be as good of a mother by working part-time! You have to remember that one of the 10 fundamental concepts of LLL is that "In the early years, a child's need for its mother is as intense as its need for food." Some people in LLL interpret that to mean that you shouldn't let your child be away from you for more than an hour for the first 11 years. (Seriously, someone actually said that!) And other, more sane people, believe that every mother walks her own path and that path sometimes includes work, and that is her choice and not ours to define for her.

On the other hand, that book was written originally in 1980 when staying home was definitely not the norm and it was those mothers that probably needed more support. It hasn't been updated in 9 years!

Editted to add: if you can get past the tone of the working mother comments, I do think that book is a valuable resource for when nursing a toddler is driving you crazy. I know that I found it to be so when Niels was a toddler.

[kleinemeisje]

Thanks Abigail! And I definitely am going to continue reading the book, there's never going to be a book out there that I'll agree with 100%, on any topic. It's just hard, and I'm constantly doubting myself, especially about how I'm going to handle pumping and my new work schedule in a couple of weeks. At least I can start going to LLL meetings again, which should help a little.

Thanks so much for your support!

[abigailvr]

I find that with parenting that is always true, whether it's friends or books, there is always some conflict even when you mostly agree. That's why I try to remind myself to take what works and leave the rest behind!

Any time!