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BOND BEYOND GUILT

Bond Beyond Guilt is a project that explores the emotional and psychological layers of early motherhood, focusing on how guilt is shaped by social expectations, routines, and invisible labour. Rather than treating guilt as a personal failure, the project reframes it as a shared condition that can be softened through design. Using play as a medium, it creates small, shared moments that support presence, connection, and emotional ease between mother and child. Informed by child development theories, conversations with mothers, and iterative prototyping, the project investigates how touch, play, and guided interactions can reduce emotional load without adding pressure. Ultimately, it imagines a more compassionate model of care where bonding feels natural, and mutual. 

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Introduction


Mother child bonding often lacks, everyday moments, yet these are the moments most affected by a mother’s divided attention. When routines, chores, or work interrupt togetherness, feelings of guilt can quietly grow. This project explores how simple, open ended play can support emotional connection without demanding time, perfection, or constant supervision. It aims to create a gentle space where a mother can join when she can, and the child can continue independently while still feeling supported, seen, and connected.

“A MOTHER NEEDS TO WORK.

A CHILD NEEDS PRESENCE, TOUCH, AND EXPLORATION.

THE GUILT COMES FROM ABSENCE NOT FROM DISTANCE, BUT FROM DISCONNECTION.”

TOOLS 



Kids can play according to them and it will have different outcomes every time and can be played individually and also by giving small prompts by the mother while she is working and can create bonding shared moments between mother and child. 

BOND FOLD (TOOL-2)





TOOL FEATURES 

Shared Play Without Full Attention

The tool allows the mother to be around without needing to be fully involved every second. 

Open Ended Play

The activities don’t lead to one fixed outcome.

Familiar Materials + Safe Interaction

Cotton fabric, foam sheets, and Velcro keep the tool soft, light, and easy for children to handle. The child can explore textures, pull, stick, unstick, and repeat without the mother worrying about safety.

Consistent, Everyday Use

The tool folds like a book and can be carried around easily. It fits into daily life, during travel, cooking time, waiting periods, or quiet moments at home.

CONCLUSION 

Began with a simple question: What is home?

  • Led to the often ignored reality that mothers carry an invisible emotional load, shaped by the pressure to be constantly present.

Research and interviews showed:

  • Bonding doesn’t come from long, perfect moments, it happens in small, everyday exchanges that mothers often lose to routines, work, and guilt.

The tool doesn’t aim to fix motherhood.

  • It creates conditions where connection feels lighter, achievable, and pressure-free.

Designed for mothers as primary users:

  • Simple elements strings, sliders, stickable shapes support natural child play while giving mothers mental space during homemaking or hybrid work.
  • Not a total solution, but a step toward empathetic, honest early parenting design
  • that recognises that care flows both ways and small moments create meaningful connection.

KEY LEARNINGS

  • Bonding doesn’t require long, ideal situations.
  • Guilt is not a "problem" that can be "solved."
  • Designing for mothers differs from designing for children.
  • Real households don't run on ideal routines.
  • Bonding is shared work.
  • One needs iteration to understand what actually works.