"Parental Guilt"

   I have been blessed with the opportunity of being around mothers to young children. I am also blessed to be a mamipikin of 4 and counting. Now apart from weight loss and lack of "personal time" the next big issue we always discuss is "parental guilt". Parental guilt is worse with first time mothers. It sets in that moment when you have to leave your infant for the first time to take a break, go to work, school, or an afternoon out for some down time. Do not fret! You have been building relationships all your life for moments like this when you need to leave your infant with a responsible adult. Some one you trust. You are not doing anything wrong.

  I don't have a long drawn out post on parental guilt because you don't need to feel guilty for taking a break, going to school  and or going to work in order to provide for your family, its that simple. As long as you are setting that time aside  to spend with your family when you can, you need not worry. You are doing what you need to do in order to take care of your family. I used to feel horrible for leaving my kids for a couple of hours. It was a real problem. I would worry about the nanny, or family member left with the responsibility for a couple of hours. The truth is that we cannot do it on our own. It truly takes a village. The Job is a necessity and so is the break or little time off from home.

    Some parents go as far as "over compensating" because they are not as available as they will love to be, they end up buying their kids out. Do not buy your children out. Do not get in the habit of teaching your children that material things can solve all of lives problems. Talk to your children once they can understand. Explain to them why you have to work or take a breather. Tell them about what it takes to be an adult and all the responsibilities you have as an adult.

    You always have to be the parent, and that involves making decisions that may be difficult for the children and even others to understand. At the end of the day, you want whats  best for you and your family and thats what truly matters.

  Let go of parental guilt. You are allowed to make a living for your family. You are also allowed to take a breather when needed. Like I said earlier, you are doing what you need to do in order to take care of your family, there should be no guilt involved.

Kisses.