Experiences Of Mothers Research Articles

Pregnancy, early motherhood and homelessness: affective injustice

ABSTRACT The importance of accounting for gender in relation to homelessness is exemplified by experiences of pregnancy and early motherhood. Drawing on qualitative research conducted with 14 women who were pregnant while homeless in Victoria, Australia, this article applies the conceptual framework of ‘affective injustice’ to three case studies to explore these gendered experiences. Affective injustice refers to the deprivation of nurturing capital, including safe, secure relationships, love and support and occurs when individuals are exposed to neglect or inequality, including unequal access to health and social services. Moreover, individuals may feel undeserving of support and that being homeless is their burden to resolve. This study found that a lack of safe housing, economic deprivation and experiences of violence and neglect characterized the women’s experiences before and during their pregnancies. Consequently, their capacity to build nurturing capital was severely jeopardized. The provision of suitable accommodation and engagement with supportive relationships with professional and state services enabled the women to harness caring relations and foster maternal identity formation.

Mothers' and fathers' experiences of breastfeeding and returning to paid work after birth: A mixed-method study.

This mixed-method study explored the experiences of mothers and fathers combining breastfeeding with returning to paid employment after childbirth. Tasmanian State Service employees participated in an online survey and phone interviews. A total of 130 parents completed the survey, and 42 participated in 60-min phone interviews. The survey had more female respondents (109) than male (21), and only 4 of the 42 interviews were with fathers. The sample consisted mainly of professional women (84%) and men (16%), predominantly Australian-born (88%). Two-thirds of participants worked part-time (62%), taking either unpaid (52%) or paid leave (61%) within the first 12 months after birth. The majority (88%) preferred to breastfeed, with the mean age of the first formula feed being 4.1 months. A narrative analysis of the qualitative data, informed by work-family conflict theory, reveals that transitioning back to paid work while breastfeeding is challenging for both mothers and fathers. Parents face multiple conflicts between paid work, family responsibilities and maintaining breastfeeding. The emotional and physical demands of feeding, expressing, storing and transporting breast milk, combined with often inadequate workplace facilities, policies and gender discrimination, add to parental pressure. Mothers bear the greatest burden, while fathers' roles and needs are often overlooked in the workplace. The major finding of this study is that breastfeeding is insufficiently recognised as an integral part of the return-to-work process for both parents, generating a form of work-family breastfeeding conflict, where work (part-time or full-time) interferes with family responsibilities and breastfeeding. Family-friendly breastfeeding policies based on equity principles are needed to address workplace gender inequality and discrimination and better support parents in combining work and breastfeeding.

A Phenomenological Study of Clinical Stillbirth Management for Grieving Mothers

For any expectant mother, the worst possible outcome of pregnancy is for the baby to die. The experience can lead to various forms of physical and psychosocial morbidity. The purpose of this study was to gain in-depth understanding of the experiences of mothers who suffered stillbirth with a view to improving the clinical management of stillbirth. Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with ten women who had experienced stillbirths within one year prior to the interview. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using Smith’s interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) model and ATLAS.ti 8 software. Healthcare professionals identified three main themes: clinical management for stillbirth and bereaved mothers across various roles; public hospitals; and the Jordanian Ministry of Health Policies and Guidelines. The study findings underscore the devastating impact of insensitive and poor-quality care on bereaved mothers, highlighting how it exacerbates their grief and sorrow. These findings emphasize the need for training healthcare providers in perinatal loss and bereavement care, as well as the importance of adopting new policies and guidelines to improve the quality of care provided to bereaved mothers.

Being ‘a good mother’ in Türkiye: negotiating expert advice and intensive motherhood

This study explores middle-SES Turkish women’s perceptions of being a good mother within a context-specific version of intensive motherhood and the intercessions of expert advice with their motherly subjectivities through a phenomenological approach. Semi-structured interviews were carried out with three groups of 12 mothers each with children aged 0–6, 7–12 and 13–18, a total of 36 women living in Istanbul. According to findings, middle-SES Turkish mothers, in line with expert advice, shift their prioritisation of the child’s secure attachment to supporting the child’s future chances through education as they grow older. Mothers’ agency out of these concerns is a culturally positioned resource that enables social mobility. However, with the experience of mothering, these concerns are negotiated in everyday life and mothering practices are reflexively (re)constructed in a logic in which the subjective wellbeing of the mother and the child are sought to be brought together. This study argues that these negotiations are tied to increasing experience in mothering and the availability of conflicting expert advice.

Birth expectations, birth experiences and childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms in mothers and birth companions: Dyadic investigation using response surface analysis.

During the perinatal period, women and their birth companions form expectations about childbirth. We aimed to examine whether a mismatch between birth expectations and experiences predict childbirth-related post-traumatic stress symptoms (CB-PTSS) for mothers and birth companions. We also explored the influence of the mismatch between mothers' and birth companions' expectations/experiences on CB-PTSS. Dyadic longitudinal data from the Self-Hypnosis IntraPartumTrial. Participants (n = 469 mothers; n = 358 birth companions) completed questionnaires at 27 and 36 weeks of gestation and 2 and 6 weeks post-partum. We used the measures of birth expectations (36 weeks gestation), birth experiences (2 weeks post-partum) and CB-PTSS (6 weeks post-partum). Correlations revealed that birth expectations were associated with experiences for both mothers and birth companions but were not consistently associated with CB-PTSS. Birth experiences related to CB-PTSS for both mothers and birth companions. The response surface analysis results showed no support for the effect of a mismatch between expectations and experiences on CB-PTSS in mothers or birth companions. Similarly, a mismatch between mothers' and birth companions' expectations or experiences was unrelated to CB-PTSS. Following previous literature, birth expectations were associated with experiences, and experiences were associated with CB-PTSS. By testing the effect of the match between birth experiences and expectations using an advanced statistical method, we found that experiences play a more substantial role than the match between experiences and expectations in CB-PTSS. The impact of birth experiences on CB-PTSS highlights the importance of respectful and supportive maternity care.

Breastfeeding Experiences of Mothers Staying in Temporary Shelter Areas in Disaster-Affected Provinces in the 2023 Türkiye Earthquake.

While the basic needs of breastfeeding women are similar to those of the general population, there are some specificities that must be taken into account when responding to an emergency. This study examines the breastfeeding barriers faced during a large earthquake in Türkiye and aims to investigate how infant feeding practices of breastfeeding mothers staying in temporary shelters after the earthquake were affected. This study follows a qualitative descriptive design with an inductive approach. It included participants who were older than 18 years of age, had babies no older than 1 year, and were breastfeeding mothers when the earthquake struck. Five main themes were identified through a content analysis of the interviews: (1) breastfeeding environment after the earthquake, (2) emotional impact, (3) change in social relationships, (4) physiological needs and problems, (5) specialized maternal and baby health services. Factors affecting mothers' infant feeding practices were crowded breastfeeding environments, stress and fear caused by the earthquake, decreased breastfeeding support due to changes in social relationships, difficulty in reaching basic physiological needs, and lack of professional health workers in the earthquake region. The most important factor affecting breastfeeding was the lack of suitable environments in which to breastfeed. There should be local, regional, and federal policies to support the privacy needs of displaced breastfeeding mothers.

The Maternal Body, HIV and Race: Dual Raced and Ambivalent Maternal Experiences in a Vertically Infected HIV-Positive Adolescent

The HIV pandemic in South Africa has tragically left a wake of vertically infected children who have suffered parental loss and social marginalization. Vertically infected HIV-positive children are those who have acquired the virus from their mother during pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding. In this paper, the development and alienation of the self is explored in a psychoanalytically informed research case study of a black adolescent girl who was vertically infected with HIV and later fostered by a white mother. This case study explores the sociogenic meanings of raced maternal experiences and disease identified in a series of psychoanalytic interviews, using interpretive phenomenological analysis. Drawing from Melanie Klein, Franz Fanon and other feminist and post-colonial psychoanalytic theorists, the early primal raced and diseased scene is considered through internalizations and fixation on the body. Nosipho is first introduced through a short vignette and a discussion of her early maternal relational experiences. The paper then explores the ambivalence experienced by the participant as part of her HIV and raced lived experiences. HIV and raced subjectivities are both powerful internalized conscious as well as unconscious embodied experiences. For Nosipho, it has been a complicated process found in the shared dual mothering experiences between a biological mother who is black and the subsequent white maternal experiences. The interrogation of this embodied dual experiences of having black mothers who are HIV-positive whilst simultaneously having white mothering roles in children who are vertically infected with HIV is a terrain that is infused by deep contradictory and conflicting emotional and affective states around love and hate, joy and despair, fear, and hope, all at once. Consequently, holding both the HIV and the raced subjectivities is deeply painful for black children who are vertically infected with HIV.

Custodial Shadows: Lived Experiences of Postpartum Mothers Deprived of Liberty

Postpartum care is critical for women, particularly for those who are incarcerated, as they navigate both physical recovery and the unique challenges of their circumstances. Access to adequate healthcare within correctional systems remains severely limited, impacting the well-being of these women. While existing research has examined various prison-based programs—such as parenting classes, prison nurseries, and health initiatives—the voices and experiences of Postpartum Mothers Deprived of Liberty (PMDL) raising infants while imprisoned are often overlooked. This study aims to illuminate these experiences and how the prison environment influences their roles as mothers. Employing a descriptive phenomenological approach, this research involved a comprehensive literature review and purposive sampling to gather a targeted research sample. Specific criteria were established to identify eligible primary data sources. Data collection primarily utilized semi-structured interviews, allowing for open dialogue that facilitated a deep exploration of the informants' thoughts, beliefs, and experiences. Data analysis followed Colaizzi’s descriptive phenomenological method, ensuring credibility and trustworthiness through triangulation techniques, including audio recordings, field notes, pilot testing, and consultations with a research expert and psychometrician. Member checking was also conducted to verify the accuracy of the findings based on the informants' experiences. The analysis revealed five key themes: "Accepting the Inevitable: The Problems Arise After Birth," "Amusement Amidst Dilemma," "Supporting the Unsung: Building Bridges for Mothers Behind Bars," "Resilient Solitude: Embracing Inner Peace Amidst Maternal Separation," and "Maternal Bonds in Confinement: Underdeveloped Maternal Identity." The study concludes that while PMDLs engage in livelihood initiatives, skill development, and support networks, their separation from their infants significantly hampers their ability to fulfill maternal obligations and undermines their identity as mothers.

Experiences of mothers receiving male midwives’ assistance during childbirth in Kween District, Uganda

This study explored the perceptions and experiences of mothers who were cared for by male midwives (MMWs) during delivery in Kween District. The study utilized a qualitative phenomenological approach to document responses of participants. Data was collected from three health facilities that had male midwives delivering mothers at the time of the study, and targeted postnatal mothers 18-49 years who had been delivered by a MMW in the last 6 months. Thirty-three mothers participated in the study: 15 in individual in-depth interviews and 18 in three focused group discussions. Collected data were transcribed in word, coded in excel and exported to Atlas.t 7 for analysis. Thematic and content analysis were utilized to derive insights from the data collected. The results showed that perceptions varied significantly across participants. Respondents attached certain beliefs and perceptions that the delivery process is an intimate matter that should only be handled by fellow women. Fear and discomfort when touched by a MMW and discomfort by mothers’ partners, came out as strong viewpoints. However, there were strong experiences that MMWs demonstrated supportive, caring, respectful, sympathetic and passionate provision of care. These findings agree with several other studies reviewed during the study. Comprehensive sensitization focused on promoting the utilization of skilled birth attendants regardless of gender is necessary in reducing maternal mortality.

성인 ADHD 어머니의 자녀양육 경험에 대한 내러티브 탐구

Objectives This study conducted a narrative inquiry to explore the difficulties of parenting experience as an adult ADHD mother, the experiences and meanings of life of participants, and to help them understand life. Methods To this end, one adult ADHD mother was selected as a participant, and 6-8 in-depth interviews were conducted from May 2023 to February 2024. The research procedure applied the five steps suggested by Clandinin and Connelly (2000): being present in the field, moving to the field text, constructing the field text, constructing meaning for the experience, and constructing the research text. Results The results of the child-rearing experiences of mothers with adult ADHD tendencies derived with the study participants are as follows. There were five themes: ‘No one taught me emotions’, ‘Pushing me to the end’, ‘Walking with hands’, and ‘The path to becoming solid- Becoming a mom who takes notes’. Conclusions Based on these results, suggestions for counseling were discussed in the context of personal justifi-cation ‘looking back on myself’, actual justification ‘Knowing but not being able to control it’, and social justification ‘growing together- spring again’, and the significance of the study and suggestions for follow-up research were made.

Breastfeeding Experiences of Mothers of Children with Down Syndrome: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose: It is known that despite the benefits of breast milk and breastfeeding, children with Down syndrome (DS) are breastfed less than other children are. More information is needed to reveal the problems experienced regarding breastfeeding in this group of children and take precautions. The purpose of this study was to learn about the breastfeeding experiences of mothers of children with DS. Methods: The study was carried out by conducting in-depth interviews with 17 women who met the inclusion criteria in Turkey between September 1 and December 1, 2023. Content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: As a result of the content analysis, five themes emerged. These themes were changing of body and emotions, why doesn't my baby suck?, I have to breastfeed my baby, I am not alone, and experiences should be shared. Conclusions: It was determined that mothers of children with DS experienced problems/difficulties due to individual, baby-related, and environmental factors. The positive effects of breastfeeding children with DS can be made prevalent in society by supporting these mothers.

Is single parenthood increasingly an experience of less-educated mothers? A European comparison over five decades

Is single parenthood increasingly an experience of less-educated mothers? A European comparison over five decades

Motherhood experiences of researchers in the university space

Durante la última década, la política educativa ha buscado promover la igualdad de género en las instituciones de educación superior en México. Si bien es cierto que el discurso institucional de las universidades expresa este compromiso, ¿qué tanto se están modulando las prácticas cotidianas de estos espacios al haber sido configuradas por ciertas prácticas legitimadas que contribuyen simbólicamente a su ordenamiento? El objetivo de este estudio es recuperar la experiencia de maternidad de investigadoras de una universidad pública para entender cómo han afrontado las exigencias de su trabajo y de la alta producción académica al mismo tiempo que lidian con la maternidad y el cuidado de los hijos. La metodología de investigación es fenomenológica, basada en entrevistas a investigadoras. El corpus muestra hallazgos muy interesantes, pues si bien algunas de ellas han logrado consolidar su trabajo de investigación, también es cierto que se han enfrentado cotidianamente a tensiones, así como a violencia, sexismo y discriminación, incluso por ser madres. Dado que el discurso de la igualdad de género no ha logrado permear las prácticas institucionales, la resolución de estrategias para sobrevivir tanto en el trabajo como en la familia sigue siendo en gran medida personal.

A thematic analysis of the subjective experiences of mothers with borderline personality disorder who completed Mother-Infant Dialectical Behaviour Therapy: a 3-year follow-up

BackgroundPerinatal borderline personality disorder (BPD) is a common condition in perinatal mental health settings with few specialised treatment options, and little is known about the enduring effects of available treatment programs. This study explored the follow-up experiences of women with BPD after completing Mother-Infant Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (MI-DBT).MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with eight women who had completed MI-DBT 3 years prior. Reflexive Thematic Analysis was used to analyse the interviews to gain a richer understanding of these mothers’ lived experience.ResultsA thematic analysis generated four main themes which indicated that participants found that MI-DBT improved their ability to hold their child in mind, be aware of their own internal state and behaviours, manage their own emotional reactions and stay calm, and manage interpersonal interactions within adult relationships. Mothers with perinatal borderline personality disorder also highlighted the need for ongoing support in the context of parenting.ConclusionsThis study is the first of its kind to explore the longer-term experiences of mothers following such an intervention, giving voice to this vulnerable group of women. The findings of this study provide a greater understanding of the complex challenges experienced as part of parenting for mothers with borderline personality disorder, and provides both insight into mothers’ experiences of life after MI-DBT and the impact of the program on their lives. The clinical and research implications of the study’s findings are discussed.Trial registrationThis research was retrospectively registered on 07/03/2024, ACTRN12624000225516.

Roma mothers of infant children in the health system - a qualitative study

Abstract Background The Roma in Bulgaria constitute the third largest group - 4% of the population. Data on demographic processes by ethnicity are scarce. A national survey in 2003 found significant differences in infant mortality - 9.9‰ for Bulgarian, 18‰ for Turkish, and 28‰ for Roma infants. Poverty among Roma children, risk of poor education, especially for girls, barriers to accessing health services remain high. We aim to reveal the cultural specificity in prenatal behavior and infant care among Roma mothers in the context of the role of the Bulgarian health service. Methods In-depth interviews with Roma mothers of infants up to 1 year were utilized for data collection. To ensure heterogeneity among the interviewees, several “nests” with varying socio-cultural status in the Varna district were identified in advance for participants recruitment. A list of interview themes concerning respondents’ relationships with the public health system with an emphasis on the experiences of mothers was drawn up. Results Ten interviews with mothers having between 1 and 7 children were conducted in 2023. The mothers recounted discriminatory experiences during their interactions with certain health facilities (maternity wards), which act as barriers to accessing and utilizing health services. Maternity and infant counselling services are highly esteemed with favorable influence on child health outcomes. There has been a positive shift away from early marriage and childbirth towards prioritizing education for Roma girls. Mothers prioritize their children, and there is no neglect in their care. Family relations and support are being upgraded, with Roma fathers becoming involved in child care. Respondents express their educational needs and hopes for community-based support to better cope with their roles as mothers. Conclusions Ethno-cultural factors shaping the mother’s role maintain traditional family support, while also reflecting significant modernization that needs societal support. Key messages • A glimpse into people’s experiences of the healthcare system - a clue to its effectiveness. • Тhe ethno-cultural factors in Roma are subject to modernization.

Differences in the work-family experience of mothers and fathers of a southern European country

Abstract Background The intense childrearing years often coincide with the heightened work demands and responsibilities of the career-building years. We aimed to evaluate the association between family-life stage and men’s and women’s experience of work and private demands, and the conflict between these demands. Methods We evaluated 3532 mothers and 731 fathers as part of the Portuguese population-based birth cohort Generation XXI (2018-2020). Data on family-life stage (exposure), work demands, private demands, and work-to-family conflict (outcomes) were retrieved at the 13-year follow-up wave, as well as data on sociodemographic and household characteristics. Family-life stage was operationalized according to the age of the youngest child: stage 1 (≤5 years), stage 2 (6-11 years), and stage 3 (≥12 years). Ordinal logistic regression models were used to estimate associations. Results Men reported more frequently long working hours, while women spent more time on household and child-related tasks. After adjustment for parents’ and household characteristics, mothers and fathers with younger children were more likely to report spending more time on child-related tasks (ORmothers = 1.83; 95%CI 1.44, 2.33; ORfathers = 2.36; 95%CI 1.41, 3.94), compared to those with older children. Fathers with younger children were also more likely to report spending more time on household tasks (OR = 2.20; 95%CI 1.30, 3.73 for routine tasks and OR = 1.75; 95%CI 1.03, 2.97 for sporadic tasks). Mothers exhibited a significant association between family-life stage and time-based work-to-family conflict when they had younger children (OR = 1.24; 95% CI 1.05, 1.47 for family-life stage 2 and OR = 1.28; 95% CI 1.00, 1.63 for family-life stage 1). Conclusions Both fathers and mothers with young children experienced increased private demands, but only mothers experienced work-to-family conflict. This reveals that family and working arrangements remain marked by a gendered pattern against women.

Heterogeneity of postpartum bonding and maternity blues among mothers three days after delivery

Abstract Background Findings about risk factors for postpartum depression (PPD) are often inconsistent. The variability could be due to the heterogeneity of characteristics of mothers at risk for PPD in certain populations, which has important mental health implications. We examined the heterogeneity of sociodemographic, pregnancy and labor characteristics in postpartum women referred to follow-up care on the third day after delivery. Methods We performed a nested cross-sectional latent profile analysis (LPA) on a convenience sample of women in a tertiary community hospital in Split, Croatia in 2020. Participants completed the first subscales of Postpartum Bonding and Maternity Blues questionnaires, as well as five subscales of the Questionnaire of Family Functioning According to Parents and 12 sociodemographic, pregnancy and childbirth-related variables. LPA identified profiles of mother-infant bonding and postnatal blues, and multinomial regression analysis was used to determine the influence of different profiles. Results Of the 318 participants, the best-fitting model had three latent profiles. First (n = 76, 24% of participants) and second (n = 216, 68% of participants) latent profiles showed good postpartum bonding, while second profile showed higher primary blues. Third profile (n = 80, 25% of participants) was characterized by poorer postpartum bonding and elevated primary blues. Only good youth experiences of mothers with their parents (relative risk [RR] 0.26; 95% CI 0.12-0.57; p = 0.001) and good present-day relationships with partners (RR 0.26; 95% CI 0.13-0.52; p < 0.001), significantly decreased the risk for third latent profile classification. Conclusions Postpartum bonding and primary blues of women who gave birth three days prior were heterogeneous. This heterogeneity could result in the well-documented heterogeneity of postpartum depression in women, and therefore, be the focus of mental health interventions in similar settings. Key messages • We found heterogeneity of sociodemographic, pregnancy, and labor characteristics in postpartum women after delivery, highlighting the variability in risk factors for postpartum depression. • This heterogeneity could result in the well-documented heterogeneity of postpartum depression in women, and therefore, be the focus of mental health interventions in similar settings.

Experiences of mothers of long-term surviving patients with cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy: a qualitative study

BackgroundAdrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an X-linked peroxisomal disorder. Its cerebral form presents as a learning and behavioral disorder that, if untreated, leads to rapid neurological regression, disability, and death within 10 years of diagnosis. Therefore, the disease significantly impacts patients’ quality of life, making quality of life assessment crucial for effective medical treatment and care. However, no disease-specific quality of life scale exists for ALD. Therefore, we conducted qualitative research to determine the experiences of patients and their families as a preliminary step toward developing one.ResultsFour mothers of patients with cerebral ALD were interviewed. Based on classification using the qualitative content analysis method, the verbatim transcripts were grouped into four themes: support needs for patients, support needs for families, the impact of treatment, and challenges within support systems.ConclusionsSupport for patients and family members is required after ALD is diagnosed. In addition to addressing symptoms, daily life support and caregiving burden should be considered. Furthermore, several challenges and opportunities exist for improving treatment and support systems. Therefore, combining appropriate supporters and support systems according to the progressive and hereditary characteristics of ALD is crucial.

Purkhyauli Thalo: Me and My Auto Ethnographical Study

The main purpose of this article is to connect my personal experience with social meaning. This article presents my personal experience as a story. In this auto ethnography knowledge production, I present myself and my own particular experience as an analytical narrative. Through this auto ethnography, I have once again connected with the world I lived in and the vivid experiences there through interaction. As a person is a social being, he learns social customs, values and conduct from the elders of the society and the person himself is the source of social information for him. I have taken as a source of information what I have learned directly from the society that brought me up, what I have seen and experienced and who I have interacted with. From the study area, I have received information from people who have lived in different places in the country and abroad through phone interactions and meetings. I have prepared this auto ethnography article by including the social experiences of my mother who raised me and her life stories as a source of information. People are bound by the customs of society. In this auto ethnography exploring social and its associated customs, it becomes apparent that certain rituals once imbued with significance by our ancestors may how imped societal progress. While these rituals held meaning in their time, their contributed practice poses challenges to the advancement of our community. It seems that there is a need for change in the rituals that have been going on like that. There is a need for a progressive change in the traditions that are the hindrances to the development of such old societies. The conclusion of this article is that there is a need for progressive change in the old social injustices based on caste, gender and color.

Muggle, Juggle, Snuggle, and Struggle: profiles of parenting experiences of mothers and fathers in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT The current study expands the literature on parenting during the COVID-19 pandemic by considering how much time spent on childcare increased and how the time was perceived by mothers and fathers in South Korea. Using the perspective of family systems theory and taking a person-centered approach, this study examined how parental experiences differ according to parental gender and investigated subgroups of mothers and fathers in terms of parental experiences during the pandemic. This study also examined how those groups differ in terms of the factors of family subsystems, adaptive self-organization, and sociodemographic variables. With a sample of 372 mothers and 366 fathers in South Korea, this study employed latent profile analysis and identified four distinct subgroups of mothers and fathers: Muggle, Juggle, Snuggle, and Struggle. Some parents feel like muggles, managing short childcare times without much joy or challenge, whereas others juggle long hours with their children, finding both joy and difficulty. Some snuggle, enjoying their extended childcare time with delight, whereas others struggle, facing the hardships of prolonged childcare without much enjoyment. The overall profile patterns and the ratios of these profiles were similar for both mothers and fathers. Suggestions for future researchers, practitioners, and policy-makers are discussed.