Mommy Guilt

Mommy guilt is insidious.  It shows up even when you’re not looking.  Not unlike so many mothers out there, I suffer from mommy guilt.  It seems to be triggered by having “needs.  You see, in the real world, mommy’s aren’t  supposed to have these “needs” and once we admit we do, the guilt starts creeping in…

Things that precipitate mommy guilt:

•  Despite the pediatrician’s recommendation, you supplement your breast milk with formula at night so that you can get a night’s sleep!
• You know you put your child’s library books “somewhere,” but you can’t seem to find them. Your child gets reamed out by the library teacher for losing his books-  AGAIN!
• You have multiple children and you find it difficult to divide up your attention. You find yourself wondering if it is because you like one child more than the other.
• It is “stuffie day” at school on Thursday. Your child is the only one who shows up without one.
• You don’t take the time to tie your child’s sneakers properly and he falls 5 times during pee-wee soccer.
• Your child has a severe dust allergy, and you haven’t cleaned the house in 3 weeks.
• It’s 10 degrees and your child goes to school without a hat or mittens.
• You are eating your favorite sandwich and your child really wants a bite. You tell him it’s super hot and spicy so you don’t have to share with him.
• Your child doesn’t know his spelling words, but he does know every line of his favorite movie.
• Your child’s class is having a holiday party and you are the only parent whose name isn’t on the sign up list.
• Your child wears the same pants three days in a row because you didn’t have enough time to do the laundry.
• Your child is far more familiar with a french fry than a vegetable.
• The thing you say most often to your child is “wait just a minute.”
• The second thing you say most often to your child is “hurry up!”

Check back tomorrow for ways to erase the mommy guilt!