by Miss Kat

Created on: December 11, 2007   Last Updated: January 08, 2008

Guilt, if you haven't figured it out, is a common feeling we stay at home mommies get from time to time. Whether it's because our child is sick or whether it's because we have to leave them with a babysitter, guilt is always lingering somewhere nearby.

Being a stay at home mom is chalked full of responsibility. Responsibilities that no one can ever prepare you for. It's more of a learn as you go experience and it will probably be one of the most difficult jobs you will ever have should you choose to take it on.

I, as a stay at home mom, thought life would be much easier since I wouldn't have to trudge off to work and worry about who my daughter was staying with. I could provide all the care she needed! Babysitter? Ha! Who needed them? My daughter would get to know me and love me so much, she would never want to leave my side! That particular mentality ended up getting me into so much trouble.

Once in a while, we mommies need some R and R (rest and relaxation) time which I definitely was lacking, but the thought of leaving my daughter with somebody, even my own mom, left me feeling extremely guilty. About what you might ask? Well, to be honest, I hadn't left my daughter's side for the first 5 months (yes, I said 5 months) of her life and doing it now felt as though I would be abandoning her. I couldn't do it! The guilt was tearing away at me, especially when I attempted it and seeing the sad little face my daughter had when she saw me walking out the door nearly tore my heart into pieces. Perhaps I was overreacting or perhaps it was my fault for not allowing my daughter to be around other people. Whatever the case was, leaving her, even with a trusted relative proved to be very hard on the both of us.

Leaving my daughter was one thing, but whenever it came to her catching a cold or getting sick, I absolutely felt the most guilty. What did I do or could I have done to prevent this from happening? Why didn't I watch her more closely when she was playing in the sandbox or why didn't I wash her hands right away after she played with her cousins? Could I have prevented her from getting those germs at all? The answer is "no, of course not". Children WILL get sick and it's only a matter of time, but to me, I made myself feel horrible because she was feeling so horrible.

Last but not least, guilt was always nearby when my husband and I were heading out for a well deserved date. I couldn't enjoy myself knowing that she felt abandoned by her mommy. The dates never lasted longer

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