Mom Guilt- The Struggle is Real!
It comes to no surprise for those of you that know me, I love to write. Unfortunately, my writing has taken a back seat lately because I have been busy being a mom, finishing my degree, and working as a 6th grade teacher. This has left me with hardly any time to write, but to be honest it wasn't the schedule that was too demanding, it was the mom guilt.
I honestly felt guilty for taking any time to myself, even to do something that I love. I felt bad for finishing my degree and working, I felt bad for having to take the time to cook dinner and clean the house, I just felt guilty...all the time! I felt like no matter what I did, I was taking away the precious time with my children and that I was loosing potential memories with my children. I would look at pictures of my friends on Facebook and see all of the amazing post and think "wow, look at how much fun her children are having!" It's not that my children weren't having fun, believe me they are spoiled rotten, it's that I felt guilty for being pulled in so many different directions.
To combat the guilt, I felt like I had to quit doing anything for me and do more for my family. That meant that I quit writing, I quit exercising, and I drastically cut down on the amount of time I spent with my friends, among other things. But you know what, the guilt didn't go away and it just left me feeling crappy. Enough so that I decided, I didn't want to feel that way anymore. I realized that by taking time to write and exercise and see my friends, I am actually being a better mom. I am giving my girls more quality time with their mom. When I am playing with them, I am present and not allowing my mind to wander off. I am physically and mentally present. My girls get their mom and I get to be me again.
I just finished editing my first article in a long time and I can't wait to send it off to some people, hoping it will get published. I started working on writing my novel again after putting it down for months. I even have a girls night planned with some friends! I don't think the mom guilt will ever fully go away. I still feel guilty when I have been busy and I take some time to do something for myself, but I genuinely do feel a lot better about myself and my girls seem to be enjoying their time with mom.
Brittany Paige
I am a 6th grade teacher, mom, and currently working on my first novel. If you would like to connect, you can follow me on Twitter @BrittPaigeBooks or follow my blog!
I honestly felt guilty for taking any time to myself, even to do something that I love. I felt bad for finishing my degree and working, I felt bad for having to take the time to cook dinner and clean the house, I just felt guilty...all the time! I felt like no matter what I did, I was taking away the precious time with my children and that I was loosing potential memories with my children. I would look at pictures of my friends on Facebook and see all of the amazing post and think "wow, look at how much fun her children are having!" It's not that my children weren't having fun, believe me they are spoiled rotten, it's that I felt guilty for being pulled in so many different directions.
To combat the guilt, I felt like I had to quit doing anything for me and do more for my family. That meant that I quit writing, I quit exercising, and I drastically cut down on the amount of time I spent with my friends, among other things. But you know what, the guilt didn't go away and it just left me feeling crappy. Enough so that I decided, I didn't want to feel that way anymore. I realized that by taking time to write and exercise and see my friends, I am actually being a better mom. I am giving my girls more quality time with their mom. When I am playing with them, I am present and not allowing my mind to wander off. I am physically and mentally present. My girls get their mom and I get to be me again.
I just finished editing my first article in a long time and I can't wait to send it off to some people, hoping it will get published. I started working on writing my novel again after putting it down for months. I even have a girls night planned with some friends! I don't think the mom guilt will ever fully go away. I still feel guilty when I have been busy and I take some time to do something for myself, but I genuinely do feel a lot better about myself and my girls seem to be enjoying their time with mom.
Brittany Paige
I am a 6th grade teacher, mom, and currently working on my first novel. If you would like to connect, you can follow me on Twitter @BrittPaigeBooks or follow my blog!
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