Hello All! I am a working mom in San Antonio looking for SUPPORT!! My Son is 3 months old and I've been back at work for about 2 months. Does it ever get any easier? I feel like I'm a "bad mom" because I go off and leave my baby every day, and then I feel like I'm a "bad employee" because I can't stay late and work extra all the time. Anyone else have those feelings?

Definately! You just have to look at your situation. For me, financially we couldn't survive without my pay. I'm the primary bread winner in our household but I want so badly to stay home for my daughter. I'm 22 and she's now 17 months old, but I had to return 4 weeks post-partum. You're not a bad mom. It's better to properly provide for your child than struggle daily for food and clothes (because we all know how many times you replace that wardrobe in the first YEAR). I'm glad you added me to your network!

Hi, Emily -- welcome!!!

I think it does get easier, although it's constantly a juggling act for me. I often have those same feelings of not being good enough as a mom or at work, but what I've done that has helped is try to focus on whereever I am fully -- when I am at work, on work, when I am at home, on my family.

And no way are you a bad mom -- you're a great mom because you're working hard to provide for your family and your daughter. It's so tough to juggle and you should feel awesome for doing it.

Hello!
I think it does get a little easier. My girls are 3 and 5, and I still feel guilty when I'm at work from time to time. I just try to make sure that they get 100% of me when I'm with them, and I make special dates with them one on one, and they love that.
Balancing work and home with a little one is one of the hardest things to do. Good for you for doing it.

Thanks for all the support!! I know I'm not really a bad mom, those feelings just creep up sometimes.
Marcia, I'm the main bread winner in our familyi as well. Daddy stays home with the baby 3 days a week which makes me feel a lot better. He goes to Parent's Day out 2 days a week and the ladies there are AWESOME! They are so sweet and it's like taking him to grandma's. I'm so glad I have people who love and care about my son taking care of him, that does make things a bit easier. I do get jealous of Dad sometimes since he gets to spend more time at home with the baby. But I think it has really made them bond.

Hi, Emily! It doesn't go away but it gets easier!

I've recently become a work at home mom & I still have those feelings (in fact more so than when I worked out of the home because my 4 year old is sitting there staring at me when I'm trying to work & there laptop stares at me when I'm playing with my son).

Just remind yourself that there is no such thing as perfect balance. It will give and take as need be. Just be the best mom you can while you are with your baby and the best employee you can while you are at work. That's all anyone can ask for!

Hang in there and vent here when ever you need to!