We all know what it feels like, because we've all felt it. Some of us more than others. Different seasons bring on different kinds and intensity.
Mommy Guilt.
When you can't figure our why your kids are being crazy then you look down at your phone and there's 32% left and its not even nap time.
When you peel a crying toddler and baby from yourself just so you can run out the door. And then you sit in your car, crying because you HATE leaving them everyday.
When you buy your kids (and yourself) an apple pie from McDonald's so they will stay quiet for just 2 minutes in the cart.
When you pray and pray that the fever goes away before the morning because you just can't take off anymore time from work.
When you let them watch Netflix so you can just eat your sandwich. Without having to share it.
Which one fits you? Likely one or more (and probably a whole list of others). Me? All of them. 3 of them just today. This season of Mommy Guilt looks different for me than it did a year ago (even 6 months ago). Working mama guilt or stay at home mama guilt. It's all the same...guilt.
It is real. And I don't like it. Why do we have to feel guilty? It is ugly.
Know what I like about it the least? I've been a good mama this week. Home school, date with the 6 year old, park, swim lessons. My phone had lots of battery life left come nap time everyday this week. We didn't watch much TV and they had an apple or raisins for snacks. But I've forgotten all about that today.
The good news? We don't have to live with that kind of guilt. If I've learned anything about being a mama is you just do what works for you. My motherhood experience is different than yours, but its still beautiful. Uniquely beautiful.
As mothers (working, stay at home, adoptive, foster, whatever your situation) we called to do one thing: to love our kids with a fierce, deep Christ inspired love that points them to HIM.
Put that ugly guilt away and put on Christ and just love those babies.
