Mom Guilt

It took about a day and a half into vacation and I was ready to be home with my kids again. I missed them so much. I missed their smiles and giggles, I missed their noises in general, I even missed the crying and whining. It took about a day and a half into being home and I wanted to be back on vacation!! Not to mention I felt like I really needed to change my name….mommy was really getting old.


The question that kept crossing my mind was, “Should I feel guilty for wanting to be far, far away?”


Growing up I was blessed with that great Catholic guilt. I honestly mean BLESSED. I think a big reason for me being who I am today is that wonderful Catholic guilt that was just a part of growing up. It kept me on the straight and narrow. I didn’t really go through that rebellion stage. (You can ask my mother) To this day I have this amazing voice inside my head that keeps me doing the right thing. As I said above, it truly is a grace that I have received from God and I am glad that I have it.


That brings me back to what I call “mom guilt”. I’m sure all you mothers know what I’m talking about. We really are expected to do it all AND do it all with a smiling face AND love every second of it. That’s what the great vocation of motherhood is, right? Well, I’m here to tell you that it’s not. There are days that are imperfect. Heck, aren’t most days imperfect? It’s ok to have grouchy days. It’s ok to have days where you do absolutely no housework. It’s even ok to have days where you can’t wait for bedtime. That’s all part of being a mom.


I like to tell my husband that I am superwoman. I can do it all. Some days I really can do it all, and I LOVE it, every second of it. Most days I’m just doing my best not to really screw something or someone up. However, when I sit back and think about the REALLY bad days (those days that I HATE as they are going on) I have to appreciate those too. I may have some serious mom guilt when I put my head on the pillow those nights, but I don’t think I could LOVE the good days without the bad ones.


I’m growing up as I raise my kids. That’s not to say that I’m an immature person and I’m a child raising children. What I’m trying to say is that I am learning and evolving just like my kids are. Sometimes I have those “awww” moments and I try to hold on to those moments the best I can. I also have those “oh crap” (or worse) moments where I know I’ve messed up-- that mom guilt really gets me then. Wishing that I was far, far away though, not a mom guilt moment. Just a moment to show myself that I’m not superwoman, I’m just a mom trying to do the very best that I can everyday. As for changing my name-- I think hearing “mommy” a million times a day is a great reminder of the blessings that God has given me.


Don’t forget to count your blessings--especially the small ones!! J