Riding the Mom Guilt Wave

Feeling the guilt of being a full time working mom

I'm often asked how much we pay for daycare. The follow up question is usually “is that worth it?”, or some other variation of the question. Im a mom, with a full-time job and a husband who frequently travels for his full time job. Is it worth it? I don’t know, but do we need it, yes. 

This usually leads to a wave of mom guilt on my part for being a "working mom” and not a stay at home mom. The pressure to balance career and family can be overwhelming, especially when social media portrays the idea that staying home should be the easiest choice. But, for my family, that's just not feasible. 

In this blog post, I want to share my experiences and emotions, acknowledging the waves of mom guilt that wash over me, particularly when I'm solo parenting. I'm not here with a list of five easy tips to eliminate this guilt; instead, I'm opening up a conversation in the hope of finding solace and support from other moms who may be feeling the same way.

Mom guilt is a strange and unpredictable phenomenon. It seems to come and go like waves, with varying intensities. For me, these waves become more prominent when my husband is away on business trips. During these times, I find my children spending longer hours in daycare, our dinners become simpler and less balanced, and I often find myself stressed and, at times, irritable after working all day. It's during these moments that I question if I'm truly up for the task of being a “working mom.”

I share my experience because I know I'm not alone in feeling this guilt. When mom guilt creeps in, I've discovered that diving deeper into gratitude journaling and reflecting on my journey through motherhood can help. It's not easy to see the beautiful aspects of motherhood when you're in survival mode, but acknowledging the small victories and moments of joy can make a significant difference.

I want to emphasize that loving your job as a mom is perfectly okay. I love my career and going to work; it fulfills me in many ways. It's essential to remind ourselves that it's possible to be both a dedicated professional and a loving, caring mother. These roles can coexist and even complement each other.

I don't have all the answers or a magical solution to eliminate mom guilt. However, by sharing my story, I hope to connect with other moms who may be going through similar experiences. Together, we can learn from one another and discover strategies to navigate this challenging journey.

Mom guilt may be a frequent companion, but it doesn't define us. We can embrace our roles as both mothers and professionals, finding strength in the support of our fellow moms. By sharing our stories and seeking advice, we can work towards a more balanced and guilt-free approach to motherhood. Remember, you're not alone in this journey, and your love for your family and your job is something to be celebrated. Head over to @gracefullyflyingsolo on instagram to share your story or give some other mamas some love. 

Here are some of my favorite things from this week. 

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