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Do you have working mother guilt often or do you give yourself a break?

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I've been a mom for 10 years now and in that decade I've learned that everyone has mommy guilt. If you are a working mom you have guilt about not being more av available to the kids; if you are a stay at home mom you have guilt for not being able to provide the luxuries that other families provide their kids. What I've learned to do is just recognize it and move on. I don't know one mom who doesn't suffer from some form of mommy guilt. However, I know plenty of moms whom I think have made big mistakes because they let it control their lives and the way they parent.
Even while working at home I'm feeling guilty about not getting enough done. I want to spend time with my son, but I also need to get some work done to pay the bills. But the housework is waiting, too. And my poor husband patiently waits for a bit of attention, too. I don't know how to balance it all where everyone's happy.
I also feel inadequate and guilty at times. I never feel like I have enough time after work to spend time with my son, cook a nutritious dinner, and keep a clean house. I feel guilty because sometimes I'm tired and impatient with my son when I get off work, and then at the end of the day after he's in bed, I always beat myself up thinking that I could have done more with him. But on the other hand, I know he loves mommy more than anyone else, he's super smart, polite, compassionate, and he always gives me the best hugs and kisses, so I guess I'm doing something right!
DebR  17th May
I felt more guilty when they were infants.
I went back to work when they each were 4 months.
Then worked 4 days a week for the first year.
Now that they are about 3 & 5, I can see how wonderful they are and how much they love me, and I dont feel guilty.
Only when I need to work late and cant tuck them in.
That is a big guilt trip.
Not singing them to sleep or reading books each night.
Only happens once in a while.
I do feel like the other post.
That no matter what i do it is never enough or should be better.
Its very tough after working, then spending precious hours with the kids, to then do chores around the house. Hubby and I eat around 9p each night.
exausting.
I have not been in touch with my friends because of lack of time.
And Lylah-
Yes, seems eveyone IS managing just fine, but they are NOT.
things arent always what they seem.
dont be to hard on yourself.
MAC  16th May
Surprisingly, I have less guilt about working than when I did when I wasnt working outside the home.
I feel confident that I am doing everything I possibly can for my kids.
Guilt aside, I wish my house was cleaner.
I wish I had more me time.
I wish I could have gone to my 10 year olds PTA program last night.
But guilty, no. Just human.
I feel it nearly every single night. Not about what I AM doing, but about what I'm not doing. I'm not on top of the laundry or the cleaning. I should be cooking more the night before. I should be organizing our bills and paperwork instead of stacking them in heaps on my desk and around my file cabinets. I should be better at everything. I'm doing the best that I can, but some days it doesn't seem good enough -- for me. Everyone else seems to think I'm managing just fine!
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