Am I normal? I've never left my child.

I know I have to do this eventually, but I’m just not ready.

I haven’t left my child once since he was born. He has just turned three.

Since the day I became a mum I have felt so overwhelmed with love and emotion that I haven’t been able to bring myself to part with him for even a second. My mum says this isn’t normal, that it’s time I left him for a few minutes, to have some time to myself, but every time I try to leave I just can’t do it.

What if he needs me while I’m gone?

When I was in hospital with him they had a nursery but I told them that I wanted to keep him in the room with me. One morning a new nurse I'd never seen before came in to introduce herself. When she saw my son she said, "Oh my gosh, look at all that hair" and then wheeled him out of my room, saying something about showing him to one of the other nurses. Just as my lip began to wobble she came back in with him, saying her nurse friend wasn't in yet. When she saw me crying and asked what was wrong I said, "I just didn't want you to take him". She was a bit more considerate after that.

I just love my son so much and I don't want to miss anything. I don't want to miss any moments like funny things he does and says, plus I am the best person to take care of him. When he is sad or hurt it's me he wants, so I want to be there for him, always.

I still get everything done while he's with me. It's always just him and me and I run all sorts of errands. We have a hairdresser who comes to our home and does us both. I go to "Mums and Bubs" movie sessions and whenever my husband and I want to eat out he comes with us.

My husband doesn't mind that my son is always with us. He's just as enchanted. It's only my mum who thinks it's a problem, and my sister, and also some of my friends.

I know I'm going to have to leave him eventually. I should really find a part-time job but keep delaying it. I also know that he needs to get prepared for preschool and school, and that it might be harder for him to be away from me.

But I'm not sure how I'll cope to be separated from him. I need some advice.

Is it normal that I've never left my child? Do you have any advice for how I can start doing it?

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