Guilt to motherhood is like grapes to wine. Fay Weldon
Guilt … a feeling of having committed a wrong or failed an obligation (Oxford Dictionaries)
At some point we all feel guilty about things we’ve done, things we haven’t done, things we’ve said or things we should have said. This guilt increases exponentially with motherhood.
When I read the quote that is this week’s prompt I started to make a note of the things I feel guilty about – I didn’t actually think I was carrying around that much guilt until I started writing so, in no particular order, here goes:
I feel guilty that I don’t think my husband gets as much attention as he deserves
I feel guilty when I don’t think I’m able to share my attention equally amongst my children
I feel guilty when one child gets more than another
I feel guilty that I can’t afford fancy swimming lessons or the lovely days out that I’d like
I feel guilty that my house isn’t as clean and tidy as I would like (or in fact as big as it needs to be)
I feel guilty that I don’t think my children get the variety in their diet that I think they should
I feel guilty that they drink too much squash and not enough water
I feel guilty that I am tired and have less patience
I feel guilty when I snap at my children
I feel guilty that I think my children watch too much tv
I feel guilty when I try to do jobs online or my phone instead of playing
I feel guilty that we don’t get outside enough
I feel guilty when I don’t listen properly to what my children are saying because I’m thinking about something else
Obviously some of these things are more serious than others – and some are easier to deal with or justify than others
I think that’s more than enough guilt for now . . .
What do you feel most guilty about?
It's so hard, isn't it?! But we're not superhuman, and we can only do so much. My family are healthy, fed, happy, active and developing so I'm leaving the guilt to one side, though I agree with you on so many points! #ThePrompt x
I think most of my guilt is pretty minimal – it certainly doesn't take over my life. We can only do so much x
We're so hard on ourselves, aren't we?! As you say, we can only do so much and I think that guilt can be counterproductive. There are lots of little moments though, aren't there! Thank you so much for linking up to #ThePrompt xx
It's tough being a mummy isn't it! I can definitely relate to some of your points, especially the second one. I constantly feel like I can't be everything each of my children needs because I'm busy trying to be it all to both (if that makes any sense!?!) #theprompt
There seems so much to feel guilty about but really we're doing the best we can, and shouldn't feel guilty at all!
Oh I think I'm with you on almost all of those!
pretty much agree with most of those…I feel guilty about going to work every day..would give anything not to have to and to be able to drop off /pick up my children from school each day
I can't tell you how much I appreciate the school run x
Yes, I think we feel guilty because we love them so much. We want to do our best for them. Yet we are human, and time can pass so quickly, with so much to do. I think the saying about :- when did you last stop and smell the flowers, can bring us back to reality. Enjoy the simple pleasures in life, being together, healthy etc. Just try to include them in some of what you are doing each day. Memories of shared times can be treasured.
Rachel Craig