This Mother’s Day, rather than dad whisking baby away to give mum some time on her own, why not create a calm, celebratory moment where mum and baby can spend time together?
Well-meaning dads often take the baby out of the house on Mother’s Day to ‘give Mum a break,’ says Dr Susan Nicolson from the Women’s Centre for Women’s Mental Health, but maybe it’s time for a re-think.
“This Mother’s Day, I’d like to see a different approach. Rather than taking the baby away, dads could find ways to let their partner feel good about being a new mum,” Dr Nicolson said.
“Our increasingly busy lives mean that mothers often deny themselves the luxury of spending time with and enjoying their babies.
“Just for 24 hours find ways in your house to let new mums get back to the core of mothering – connecting with their babies, delighting in that crucial relationship.”
Dr Nicolson said helping mothers bond with and enjoy their new babies can have an enormous impact on women’s mental health. She said it also benefits babies’ growth and development when their mother recognises and responds to their cues.
Tips on ways to make her feel good about being a mum
- Tell her (or write it in a card) what’s moved you about seeing her as a mother – it might be something as simple as seeing your baby settled and happy in her arms.
- Ask a favourite uncle or aunty to take the older children for a couple of hours while mum, dad and baby go for walk and maybe end up at a café for a leisurely breakfast.
- Help older children make something special for mum – cupcakes (messy icing and all) or a card telling her why she’s a great mum.
- Take a video or make a recording on your phone of a close shared moment between your partner and your baby and show her what a great job she’s doing as a mother.
- Take on all the household jobs for the day, so Mum and baby can have some unhurried, close time together without stress or other demands.