New Mom: Guilt Trip
I know that mother’s guilt is a universal feeling, but what I’ve come to recognize lately is that what is unique to each of us as mothers is what makes us feel guilty in our parenting and work dynamics. I think I’d have to say that I’m pretty lucky that I don’t feel guilty about any of the really big issues. I don’t feel guilty about working, having my daughter in full time group care, or driving an SUV (sorry GreenMom). But I have come to realize that I often feel guilt about lots of little things. So if you’ll indulge my self analysis, I’ve decided to do an inventory of last week’s small guilt trips.
Last week, I felt guilty for:
• Sending my daughter to child care on Monday and Tuesday with a terrible cough and cold and in a horrid mood, because we really needed the care due to a death in the family;
• The fact that it didn’t occur to me until Wednesday to let her bring her beloved Curious George with her to school for extra comfort;
• Rushing the bed time routine so my husband and I could finally get some adult time alone;
• Rushing her morning routine just so I could get a decent parking spot at work;
• Saying “red light” a lot, but never saying “green light”;
• Not having any shoes that fit my daughter aside from boots…and it’s 80 degrees today.
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2 comments:
I recognize myself in a lot what you are saying. The "big" things are not that much of a bother, but the small things that you know can make such a difference. What I do is to just keep reminding myself to remember the small things, and at the same time still remembering that even I need some attention sometime (thinking of eg. the adult time)
Read the book "Don't Sweat the Samll Stuff" it will help put things in perspective. It teaches you to let go and stop analyzing all the "bad" things you do as a mother. For as many things that you may have done wrong I'm sure there are a 100 things you did right. Afterall, she loves you so you can't be all that bad! :)
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