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The transition from PhD - Maternity. A thread 
When talking to my friends, family and colleagues. I am often asked how is maternity. I of course start with I love my son, he’s so amazing and makes me laugh everyday, brings us joy and delight, but sometimes I get bored.
When talking to my friends, family and colleagues. I am often asked how is maternity. I of course start with I love my son, he’s so amazing and makes me laugh everyday, brings us joy and delight, but sometimes I get bored.
I am I often met with blank stares. This isn’t because I don’t love my son. I am thankfully not experiencing any anxieties or depressive symptoms. I don’t miss my life before. It’s just simply I get bored.
Sometimes people expect you to be very exhausted, but also constantly very elated, which we are. But what happens when there’s another side to the occupation, ( the things you do everyday) and you’re honest?
I don’t experience boredom because of my son. I’m bored because I’m so used to high level thinking, analysis and critical appraisal. I’m used to high brain activity and intellectual conversations, which I just committed 3.5 years +++ of my life to.
This doesn’t mean those who don’t get bored don’t have those things. But I’ve just moved from a PhD— and even without having a newborn I’ve been advised that transition is hard in its self.
I think being aware of your previous occupational roles and the spectrum of the experiences is essential, without the social expectation that you should be constantly “on and happy” can cause more harm than good. It may make people question their health and parental role.
So my message is, despite feeling bored at times, that doesn’t make me or anyone else a bad Mum. It makes me a honest one that has awareness for self care which can come in many forms.
So Be kind to yourself ladies and gents! - enjoy your babies, but ensure that you maintain those right occupational roles for you to maintain your self care and show up as the best parental version you can be.
My self care has resulted in just 6 hours a week to prep for my PhD viva. This has provided space to continue using my active brain with purposeful intent whilst loving and enjoying my baby 
. It doesn’t make me selfish, it makes me human.
. It doesn’t make me selfish, it makes me human.
Anyone else have alternative experiences? I’m interested to hear your transitions 
