Maternity Service by Emma Barnett review a tour of duty in early motherhood

Emma Barnett's guide, "Maternity Service," explores the complexities of maternity leave, reframing this period as a 'service' rather than a break. New mothers frequently confront a sudden disconnect from their professional lives and identities, leading to feelings of dislocation and isolation. Barnett emphasizes the importance of voicing these feelings, advocating for a candid discussion surrounding maternal experiences. She draws parallels between motherhood and military duty, suggesting that this perspective can help navigate the challenges of early motherhood, contrasting the expectations of joy with the harsh realities of adjustment and service to a newborn.

"For many new mothers, the abrupt severance from their professional lives... can leave them flailing in a strange and destabilising limbo where it seems almost taboo to voice any feelings of dislocation."

"Barnett proposes that the whole business should be rebranded... it should be styled maternity service, with all the latter term's connotations of a military tour of duty."

Read at www.theguardian.com