The Therapy Edit Confessions - I want to work, my husband wants a stay-at-home mum
Jan 31, 2025
A listener confesses her struggle with her husband's desire for her to be a stay-at-home mum. Anna shares her own past feelings about work and motherhood, normalizing the evolution of desires over time. She offers thoughtful advice on initiating open conversations with partners and emphasizes the importance of seeking external support. Fear and grief around changing roles are addressed, along with practical steps for exploring work outside the home. Nervousness about change is validated, and the potential for positive growth in relationships is celebrated.
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Host's Personal Shift From Fantasy To Reality
- Anna Mathur shares her own experience of expecting to be a stay-at-home mum but missing work during maternity leave.
- She had to let go of a fantasy and negotiate a practical return to work despite childcare and logistics.
Plan The Conversation Intentionally
- Do set an intentional time and space to talk with your partner about wanting to work again.
- Frame the conversation around your fulfillment rather than as a rejection of his ideal.
Talk About Fulfillment, Not Blame
- Try talking about your need for fulfillment and listen to your partner's perspective without framing it as blame.
- Remind yourselves it's a team issue: if it isn't working for you it affects the whole family.
