Deepika Padukone opens up about motherhood guilt and the emotional push-and-pull of needing a break yet wanting constant closeness. (Source: Express archive photo). Becoming a mother is often described as life-altering, but what is discussed less openly is the emotional tug-of-war that follows. In past conversations about motherhood, Deepika Padukone has spoken candidly about this transformation. While she has chosen to keep her daughter, Dua, away from the public eye, she has continued to open up about her emotional journey as a new mom.. Recently, she reshared a video on her Instagram Stories that captured a feeling many mothers silently struggle with. The note on the video read: “There… I said it! My toxic trait is loving my child so much that I don’t want anyone else watching them… but I desperately need a break… but I can’t stand being without them… but I also crave 24 hours of silence… but I still want to be with them 24/7.” The sentiment reflects a complex mix of attachment, guilt, longing for rest, and difficulty letting go, even briefly.. Speaking earlier at the WAVES 2025 summit, she elaborated on how profoundly motherhood has shifted her perspective: “I’m discovering this new life post-embracing motherhood. The minute you’ve had a child, you’re now responsible for another human being, and especially in the way I’ve led my life, it’s been so much about me — leaving home, my ambition, my career, and everything has been about my life and everything that I wanted for myself. And now, suddenly, you’re caring for this person who is dependent on you for everything.” She added, “That person comes before you. I don’t think I’ve found the answer to that yet.”. But why do so many new mothers experience guilt when they take time for themselves?. Psychologist Rasshi Gurnani tells indianexpress.com, “Many new mothers experience guilt because of the psychological shift that happens after childbirth. Hormonal changes heighten emotional sensitivity and protective instincts, strengthening maternal attachment. At the same time, society reinforces the idea of “intensive mothering,” where a good mother is expected to be constantly present and self-sacrificing. This creates cognitive dissonance: a mother may logically understand that rest and shared caregiving are healthy, yet emotionally feel she is failing.”. Deepika Padukone with Ranveer Singh and their daughter Dua (Source: Instagram/Deepika Padukone). There is also separation anxiety, Gurnani explains, not just in babies but in mothers, driven by bonding hormones like oxytocin. “For some women, perfectionism and an anxious attachment style can intensify this guilt. Taking time away can unconsciously trigger fears of being replaced or of not being indispensable. Guilt, in this context, is less about neglect and more about the deep psychological investment in protecting and nurturing the child.”. Balancing a strong attachment to one’s child with t
