A Letter to Other Working Mothers

Mother's guilt is real. Nearly all of us experience it. We are racked with guilt, feeling that our best isn't good enough. We struggle with necessary choices such as returning to work, and how this will impact on our children's happiness. We mum's feel guilty when we can't afford something for our kids or are nagged by the feeling that we don't spend enough time with them, or when we do we are not 'present' enough.

I believe that all mums, even the most amazing, attentive and committed mums, feel at some point that they are not good enough. Why is this?

Recently in our house there has been a bit of a role reversal and I have returned to near full time work. Even though this decision was made in the best interests of the family unit and to create the best life for my children, I would be lying if I said I don't continually have to work through feels of guilt. Mother's guilt frequently visits me as I prepare my two children for their days at child care. Have I prepared them enough? What happens if they get sick? What happens if I am not there to comfort them when they feel sad?

Mother's guilt isn't going anywhere and we all will be stricken with it at some time or another. But after a month in our new family 'norm' I have discovered some home truths;

- As long as a child feels loved and secure they will be ok
- Daddy can also do hair and is very capable at singing group, swimming and art class
- If the carpet does not get vacuumed and the floors don't get mopped in a week the world will not end
- Be present in the moment, do what makes your children happy (even if that means re-enacting 'let is go' from the movie Frozen 100 times) and look for opportunities to make memories with them. Quality time far outweighs quantity
- You are enough

Mother's guilt is only natural and is the consequence of wanting to be a good mother to your children. However, in the end it will only weigh you down. It is time as mothers that we are kinder to ourselves and to each other and realise that we do our best in the circumstances that we find ourselves in and this is in fact enough.

So here is my letter to working mothers

Dear Working Mother,

You are doing a great job. And your kids will turn out just fine. Try to give yourself a break.

 Truly.

Grace xx

  (Evening of girl time at the pool)