Thursday 8 March 2012

Under The Weather...

Sick day today. I really don't like being sick. I went home early yesterday due to the flu, and am home again today. Whenever I am sick, I always struggle with calling in.  The guilt always kicks in. It made me wonder, do many working moms have the same feeling? Having three children, I try and save sick days for the times that I need to be home with them, which often causes me to go into work when I'm under the weather. It can be very tricky balancing it all!
I guess this post is about a working moms guilt; guilt about calling in sick to work, guilt about going to work and leaving a sick child in the care of someone else and guilt about maybe sending your child to school when they're not feeling the best because you have to go to work and you feel like there aren't any other options. I've talked to many people about this, and so many have the same struggles! I think, as moms, we need to realize that we're doing the best that we can. The majority of families have two parents that work outside of the home. The reality is, that kids get sick and so do parents! I think it's important to erase the guilt, and just accept that some days, you're going to have to call in!
As a working mom, it is very important to me that I'm still there for my kids when they need me. I know that it is inevitable that I will miss some of their games, their speech contests in school, sports days; activities that are held during school hours. I try and make most after school activities to show my support and to be involved in their lives. So far, it seems to be working out pretty well!
Moms have so much to balance that I think sometimes our conscience condemns us to feelings of guilt and feelings of falling short when we are unable to acheive what is expected. Is guilt one of the secrets of a working mom?

2 comments:

  1. Hey! I just popped over via Jen's blog and read yours. I've been a working mom since my first was 5 months old (he's 14 now) and somewhere along the line I decided to let go of the guilt. It still creeps back now and then but most of the time I remember that I can and do take care of my kids when they are sick, but sometimes I can't do it all day because of work. Providing financially for our kids is one of the many ways we take care of our families. There is hardly a man alive who would feel guilty for having a good job that pays well so his family can have a comfortable life! Why do we as woman feel guilty about it? But yes, it does seem to come with the territory doesn't it?

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  2. Thank you so much for posting your comment! It's nice to know that other moms sometimes feel the guilt, too! I'm pretty good at keeping it at bay, but you're right, it still creeps back now and again! Take care!

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