She was saying that she spends most of her time feeling guilty either because she doesn't spend enough time with her family, or because she feels she's shirking her job. Inevitably, as moms, we all have to just do the best that we can.
I can definitely relate, and, as usual, I agree with and appreciate her point of view.
Regardless of whether you work outside the home or not, I think it's safe to say that as moms, we are all working on our own juggling act. I definitely don't put in the extra free hours that I used to at work, and I took a different position where I wouldn't have to travel regularly. I wish I were spending my days with my daughter, and I have a short term goal to go part time.
I have plenty of mommy guilt, but I make a point to be fully present with my daughter when we are together. We work hard to create quality time as a family, rather than each doing our own thing. We watch virtually no television. We list out the activities we want to enjoy and try to plan in advance.
And basically, we do the best that we can.
What tips do you have for achieving balance in your life? What have you given up in order to spend more time enjoying the things you hold most dear?
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I find that praying about things helps more than anything.
God seems to lighten my load and i am so blessed.
It is so hard some days though.
Also being organized and in sink with my hubby and kiddos gives our lives the balance we desire.
Blessings!!!!!!
I can only imagine how much it feels like a juggling act when you have children. I feel like it's a juggling act just with my husband!
The problem with not working outside the home is finding some kind of structure around my day. I find that being organized really helps. I recently took up some of Simplemom's organizing tips, such as her master checklist and Daily Docket. It does keep me organized. I'm juggling all sorts of things, but I have to admit that I do fall back on TV with the kids to get some stuff done-naptime is getting shorter and shorter! My "me" time is mostly running, which I "juggle" into the naptime, schooltime and bedtime slots...
Hi, I found your blog from a comment on Octamom. I'm glad I did :)
"Regardless of whether you work outside the home or not, I think it's safe to say that as moms, we are all working on our own juggling act."
You are so right! Lately I have been thinking how silly it is--I homeschool my 4 children--that means I see them ALL THE TIME. But I still have the mommy guilt. I don't feel like I'm giving them enough "quality" time.
I don't think, for us mommies, that we will ever be rid of the guilt completely. But one thing I try to remember is that the children will mirror my attitude.\
If I am showing them my guilt--they wil think that it is somehow wrong for mommy to have time to herself, or for mommy to have time to herself or (fill in the blank).
On the other hand, if I am cheerful about things and don't show the guilt or stressed, frustrated, pulled in all directions attitude, they will not know that anything is wrong. And really nothing is wrong. We love our kids and that is right.
Deb, I love simplemom's home management notebook resources. I made my own version of a daily docket using powerpoint, so that I could personalize it exactly how I wanted.
Sortin'itallout, so glad you stopped by! I agree, when I project calm outward and don't project my frustration or guilt, etc, things seem to go much more smoothly. I should try that on my coworkers! :)
All moms feel guilty, when we are working outside the home or staying home.
We each need to just do what we feel is best for our own family, and take things one day at a time.
It is hard being a mom, and every age of childhood has it's parenting challenges.
I think that sitting down to a meal together every night is a great place to connect and bond with our loved ones. I like to treat each night's dinner as if it is a special occasion and let everyone unwind.
It is so hard to work outside the home and find balance! I think the biggest and best thing I've done - gave up watching TV!
I also do my "army cooking" on Sundays, that really helps a lot! I try to throw a load of laundry in every day after work too keep that mostly caught up, and we have a family clean up race for 10 minutes each evening - with 4 people doing quick chores for 10 minutes a day, that's 40 minutes worth of cleaning a day that gets accomplished! It works for us! :-)
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