Comments on: Mommy Guilt

By: AKLizzy

AKLizzy — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:09:35 +0000

This post was timed perfectly! I had a mini-bout of Mommy Guilt today when my husband and I worked in some afternoon skiing (It’s spring somewhere, right? ;]) We had arranged with our child-care giver that we would be a little late on pick-up…seems like an easy fix?

While I skied, I thought about being home and reading “Barnyard Dance” or “Inside Noah’s Ark”…I felt those familiar heart-strings tug. Then I realized that my time away (and with my husband) helped recharge my Mom-battery for a wonderful evening of snuggling and yes! “Barnyard Dance”.

Thanks for the reminder that time away isn’t terrible! It’s healthy for us, our husbands and kids.

By: christinab

christinab — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 14:53:43 +0000

Great post! I feel guilt so often. I need a break, but then when I am away, I feel badly that I am taking a break, or I feel like whoever is caring for them isn’t doing it “as well” as me. And I feel that I even need to take a break, because I didn’t have them home with me right after being born, shouldn’t I want to eb around them 24/7? Ahhhh!

Add to that the enormous feelings of guilt associated with having to deliver 2 months early, and having 2 babies in the NICU almost until their due date, and I’m this overprotective, yet overwhelmed Mama bear-type mother. I’m exhausted!

Its reassuring to see others feel this too.

By: Lissa

Lissa — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 04:14:36 +0000

Sheena – it comes later (if it comes at all! LOL). At your stage, I remember that any time away was okay for the first hour but then panic would set in and I just HAD TO GET HOME. I remember some freak out moments when traffic had us slowed down from a dinner out or something. Thankfully, that has passed now that the boys themselves are more independent.

By: Sheena

Sheena — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 02:39:01 +0000

Sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with me because I have yet to feel this. I feel guilty when I am away from them …but I never feel that I “need” to get away. I never want to be away either. Perhaps this will kick in as they get older. They’re only 10 1/2 months now…I still have years to feel the guilt.

By: Lissa

Lissa — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 01:40:11 +0000

I’m so glad you guys agree! It was hard for me to figure out how to write this one up because I kind of felt GUILTY even writing it out! LOL.

By: Goddess in Progress

Goddess in Progress — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:51:45 +0000

So, so true. You intellectually know that you need a break, need space, and that it’s a good thing. But there’s something about being “mom” that makes you feel full-time responsible for what’s going on, even when you’re not there.

By: Cynthia

Cynthia — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 16:04:52 +0000

AMEN! Every mom needs to come to this realization!! It took me a while but, you’re right, everyone is better off when I take the time to re-charge.