Maternity "leave"? Hardly a vacation, says Yasmine Kauffmann
By Melody Hansen, Lex Kleren Switch to German for original article
No village, no grandparents, but sleepless nights: Yasmine Kauffmann talks unfiltered on Instagram about her first year as a mother. A conversation about loneliness whilst on parental leave, what it's like to raise a child without a family support network – and what really helps new parents.
Three days after giving birth, Yasmine Kauffmann stands with her daughter outside the hospital where she gave birth. She's allowed to go home – and suddenly finds herself on her own. Her husband is there, of course, but the feeling remains: "You give birth to your child, and then it's: 'Ciao' – and you've got no idea what to do."
She finds the period after the birth somewhat isolating. "You feel very alone in the world. Life outside carries on, people are working and you're home on your own." They call it maternity and parental leave." Yet this time is "anything but vacation", Yasmine says, getting annoyed at the term. "You're alone with your child; whether you've slept or been awake every hour, you have to get through the day – and you're responsible for a human being's life."
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