This post is sponsored by Everywhere Agency on behalf of Primrose Schools; however, all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
As a working mom, parenting is my most challenging job. Yes, I not only work full-time outside the home, but I also parent this preschool boy of mine who has all the energy and is always going. This national working parents day let’s let go of mom guilt!
Why we need to Fight Mom Guilt and Embrace being a Working Parent
When I first returned to work after maternity leave, I felt burdened by all the mom guilt. I felt guilty about not being there for my little baby and him being in someone else’s care all day. I felt guilty about missing milestones. I felt guilty about being tired all the time.
But then I realized the parent guilt was not doing any of us any good. I realized the guilt was self-inflicted and that I needed to be done with it. I decided to focus on the positive experiences we had together during the days before and after work, and on weekends.
What is Mom Guilt?
Did you know that 85% of working moms say that they frequently wish they had more time to spend with their family (MRI 2017)? That’s guilt, right there. Wanting to do something or be somewhere we can’t because we are at work.
According to the Pew Research Center, nearly 40% of full-time working mothers say they always feel rushed. That thinking – that we need to be everywhere and everything to everyone – that’s just not physically possible moms!
In a household where both parents work, time is limited and working parent guilt tends to run rampant. But what we don’t often talk about is why we work. Sustaining a comfortable lifestyle for ourselves and our kids requires an income. But more than that, many of us work not just because we need to, but because we enjoy it. Yes, we enjoy it!
We thrive when we feel we fit into the world around us and make a difference. We thrive when working with other adults and professionals. We went to college and got complicated degrees and we want to show something for that effort. That does not make us any less of a parent. Instead, we are modeling for our kids what they need to focus on and why they should go to school. We are showing our kids they can be successful, too. We are leaving our legacy by teaching our children to pursue their goals and dreams in all aspects of life!
Trust me, parents, we do enough! You are enough.
How to Fight Mom Guilt
The first step in fighting mom guilt is to remind yourself how amazing you are. You work, raise a family, take care of the home, and keep everyone alive and healthy. That’s a feat of superhuman proportions! Pat yourself on the back and realize that you’re managing to do something very difficult.
The next step is to let go of perfectionism. Channel your inner Elsa and empower yourself with the belief that you’re free to enjoy the life you have and focus on the positives.
The third step I would like to share with you is a reminder to ask for help when you need it. We do not parent in a bubble. Even those of us who live far away from our families due to our military lifestyle can find support, even if it’s outsourcing chores (grocery delivery is everything).
The following step is my favorite. Find child care that you love and that your child loves, and never feel guilty for taking them there. Mic drop. Goodbye daycare guilt!
Really. I love my child care so much. My son, he absolutely loves “classroom” and all his friends. He loves all the learning centers, especially puzzles, and he loves to chase around the playground, which happens to be fire truck shaped!
He thrives with all the lessons specifically designed for teaching children. My son goes to Primrose, and I cannot say enough good things about this school! We have been in a regular daycare center before and had a nanny for when my son was an infant, and comparing all the different types of care my son has had, I can really see the Primrose difference!
Primrose Schools is a national family of accredited early education and care schools serving infants through kindergarten. Primrose Schools aim to nurture curiosity, confidence, creativity, and compassion in kids, teaching them how to be good future students, future adults, and future members of society.
I love that they send photos and a daily report so I know exactly what he’s been up to and how he’s doing. I love that they have outside activities that come to his school that I can enroll him in, and not have to worry about missing out on. I currently have my son enrolled in gymnastics, soccer, and sports adventures.
And the best part is I don’t have to drive him anywhere after school when we’re already tired and lacking time. It’s all done during his school day on his school campus. So he gets all the best activities and lessons, and I get to let go of mom guilt because I am able to get him involved in these even with working full-time.
Let go of Mom Guilt and Remind others that You Are Enough
I am thrilled to share this project on behalf of Primrose. Primrose wants to be the voice of reassurance, to let working parents know they are amazing and doing a wonderful job. They want to remind us working parents that while we’re busy working on our projects and deliverables, they’re delivering what they do best – an excellent early childhood education to our littles.
Watch this video shared by Primrose that shows working parents how much they mean to their families and peers. I must warn you, your eyes might leak a bit.
Pay it forward to your fellow working parents by sharing this video and reminding them how amazing they are, how much they are valued, and that they are doing a wonderful job.
Giveaway
Visit my Instagram to enter a giveaway for yourself and a friend! I am giving away two $100 gift cards for a cleaning service!!
This promotion is sponsored by Primrose Schools and Fab Working Mom Life. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO WIN. Open to legal residents of the U.S., age 18 or older. Enter until 9/30/2018 and 11:59 PM Eastern. Winners will be selected randomly from all eligible entries. Odds of winning are based on the total number of entries received. Prize: Two (2) Merry Maids gift cards with an approximate retail value of $100 each. Winner will be contacted by direct message on Instagram. If Winner does not reply within 3 business days, a new winner will be selected. Prize will be fulfilled within 2 weeks of confirmation of the winner. This promotion is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram and entrants release Instagram from any liability associated with the promotion.
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Jenn says
Mom guilt is the worst. There seems to be no way around it sometimes.
Stef @ Natural Paleo Family says
That mom guilt is always there ? but outsourcing is the perfect way to minimize it! ??
Laura says
I love this post! The mom guilt can be overwhelming sometimes!! I have made peace with with where we are and where I am at. I do what I can and have learnt to let go of a lot of stuff!