ABSTRACT
Financial worries or fears of job loss conspire to drive many women to an early return to work. The early weeks of babyhood are precious, but people may find it difficult to enjoy them fully if they are anticipating the imminent separation of returning to work. Getting through the first year of a baby's life is a wonderful achievement. At three months, mother and baby are in the exciting stages of exchanging smiles, looks and sounds. He learns about emotions, he feels his communications are valued. As parents re-enter the world of work, the emotionally charged task of moving towards independence must now be played out between child, parent and carer. Decisions about what work and how many hours are often made according to what childcare is available and affordable. Negotiating working part time is one of the most successful ways in which mothers can have both the outside stimulation of work, and the pleasures of being with their children.
