Ways to deal with mommy guilt

If you’re a mother especially to a young one, feeling guilty as you go to work or watch them go to school is part and parcel of life. In reality, many moms feel they don’t spend enough time with their children and wish they could do more. If you’re one of those moms, you are not alone and you shouldn’t beat yourself too much about it. Life happens. Once you are put in a corner where you have to make a choice some of the people you love most may have to take a back seat.

Whatever reasons you have for feeling guilty here are ways to deal with and get on with your life.

Could you be feeling guilty because you did something to upset the little one? You need to weigh each situation carefully and make a decision. For example, did you rush out to go to work before giving your child a five-minute kiss or time to listen to what’s ailing their little heart’s then you are guilty of putting work first? But this shouldn’t make you feel bad because someone has to work right?

Put everything aside and focus on them. If the children are older ask them what they want to do and go for it. If time is a luxury, you can pick your child from school on a random day and treat them to something they like. Whether they understand it or not they will appreciate the effort you put in.

No mother ever wants to skip or miss every moment of their child’s life. But, it happens to even the best. You can’t control it and it’s ok. Whether you have to work, study or for whatever reasons you are missing out on your child’s day to day, have the person taking care of them take photos and send you. This will put you at ease when you see they are having fun.

Life keeps moving and your children are changing. Before you know it tearful goodbyes are no more and your child is starting to develop the interest in other things. He or she has friends, is playing by himself more and mommy leaving is no longer a fight. Be assured things always get better as the little ones continue to grow and the guilt will become less and less.

Some people have a knack for annoying and saying mean things whether intentional or not. If there is someone in your life who is making you feel guilty because you are not spending much time with your child or raising them ‘right,’ get away from them. It’s even worse when it comes from family and relatives but knows how to handle it without escalating the already tricky situation.