Mom guilt: Needing time away from your children
I’ve been dealing with some mom guilt over the past few weeks. You know, “mom guilt”… when we, as mothers, beat ourselves up for various reasons beyond our control. Things like not keeping your home clean enough to eat an egg from the kitchen floor, or not cooking enough healthy meals with 27 food groups in it, or not spending enough time finger painting and making skeletons out of popsicle sticks with your children. Things like that. My recent (very serious) case of mom guilt was brought on by the fact that I did not want my toddler to be around me every second, of every minute, of the day. Ever crave some time away from your children? Well, I was there. I needed a BREAK with a capital B-R-E-A-K! What type of mom thinks that about their kid?!
It started about 2 weeks ago after I picked up a particularly nasty head cold. I literally felt as if my brain was about to explode. Growing bump and back ache aside, I felt terrible. My two year old, however, was oblivious to her mamas aches and pains. She still needed love and attention. She still wanted “only Mama” to give her a bath. She wanted her cuddles and to play “I a frog” on the bed (which involves her hopping around, while I lay and watch, nursing my headache and trying not to be a grump). She wanted me to carry her and play with her and watch Barbie with her, even though I could barely keep my eyes open.
No matter how much Hubstopher tried to lure her away, the kid wanted her Mama. I felt like the worst mother in the world for wanting her to just GO AWAY. And the funny thing is (it’s not really funny, yo) even though my body felt completely run down and unable to function properly, I LET her wear me down even more. I just could not bring myself to take a break.
After being ill for more than a week, I realized that in order to get better, I needed to rest! I mean, more than a ‘present mom’, my daughter needed a ‘healthy mom’. And that meant allowing my body to heal.
It made me think about how much unnecessary stress and burden we put on ourselves. In many ways we all strive to be as perfect of a mom as we can be. And I guess that is something to be proud of. But sometimes being the best mom means giving yourself a gosh darn break! It’s okay to want to chill. In fact, it’s okay to NEED to chill. Not having your children around you, all the time, doesn’t mean you’ve stopped being their mom. It does not make you selfish or inadequate. In fact, if anything, allowing yourself a time out can help you to be the best mom you can be!
So whether it be reading a book, or starting a new hobby, or simply allowing yourself time to catch up on your favorite series at the end of the day, I encourage you to ENJOY your “time off”. The dishes can wait. I want my children to grow up remembering me as a HAPPY mommy. Not a burnt out mommy. And that’s my life lesson learnt this week.
Have you ever suffered from mom guilt?
Oh and by the way, if you’re looking to punch that flu virus in the face, before it even tries to make its rounds at your home, you should consider getting the Klinicare Flu Vaccine. It protects against the H1N1 flu virus, as well as two other flu viruses that is said to be in circulation this flu season. For more information check out their Facebook page or website.
7 Comments
Maritsa
thanx I needed to hear this, i have not had a break from my little 4 month old, she is really so precious and not at all naught, a sweet sweet little girl. But she comes with me to work lol and home after all day every day and sometimes I just need a break.
Luchae
Yinne M, you really sound as if you need a break! Hope you get one soon xxxxxxxx
Melissa Javan
I’m home today with my one year old – she’s teething, sick, had a fever last night. But she seems better now and she’s jumping on the bed and doing other naughty things. I just want to be alone and sleep a bit. Last night was tough. [Hubby is away for work]
So yeah I know it’s bad to think that. I take off once a month for me; Baby still goes to school that day. Strongs Luchae xoxo
Luchae
Sounds to me like you need that mom break!
Spirited Mama
Oh I have been feeling the mom guilt really badly the last two weeks. With being home on maternity leave with my now 8 week old son and having to still do everything else whilst giving the 7yr Dudie his required mom attention too….let’s not even talk about the husband. I NEED a break.
Tarryn
Well about two weekends ago i had my mom babysit my lil guy coz i wanted to be tarryn the girlfriend and not tarryn the mom for a night and it was great. No guilt.
Pingback: