The Guilt

Not spending enough time with the kids. Not getting the housework done. Not being available for your partner. Not able to stay late at the office.

 Not. Not. Not. 

Last week I got an overwhelming response to the post about mom going to work. And nearly as many people asked, "how do I overcome feeling guilty about not getting everything done?".

Here is a secret:
You don't.
But don't worry.
You aren't alone...not any one person I have met as a client or as a friend gets 'everything' done. Everyone prioritizes. And that is okay!

Put the 'nots' aside for a minute. Take that minute to think about everything that you *are* doing. (Write a list if that helps you.)
***and please, do not say that you don't have a few minutes just for thinking***

If you are tied up in the guilt of what you worry about not doing, here are some ideas from other people's lists:

• I make lunches for my three children, every day. Sometimes I put a note in, so they know I'm thinking about them!

• I hug my son before I leave, and I whisper our special goodbye that says I'll see him soon. 

• My older son still hugs me when he thinks no one is looking*. 

• I tell my kids if I'll be home late, so it's not a surprise.

• We take our kids for dinner at their favorite place every Tuesday.

• There is always clean underwear.

• I'm a good worker. I might leave more or earlier than someone without kids, but I always find a way to finish my work without putting it on someone else.

• I happily cheer at my kid's soccer games even though I don't understand the sport, because it makes him happy.