Save the “Mommy Guilt”

I often have “Mommy Guilt” when I add up all the hours Tootie is in pre-school. In the morning, I drop her off between 8:30 and 9:00am. At pick up I’m there between 5:45 and 6:27pm (the Pre-school closes at 6:30). Most times I rush through the door to find her immersed in a coloring project, dancing with her friends, or “reading” a book.

I build up all these thoughts in my mind about how much time she stays at school, how long we’re apart, etc. Add to some of these long days, my exercise routine that includes classes at the Y, and that could extend her day by another hour or two.

Every now and again, I have to take a breath. I get to school and realize she’s well taken care of, and actually having fun! Her nine or ten hour day has been filled with singing, dancing, arts and crafts, reading, nature walks, and all the hard work of being a pre-schooler. When I take her over to the Y for my classes, she fusses for a while, but gets right in the swing of things with the Child Watch staff and all the activities they provide.

It’s good to know that I can save the “Mommy Guilt” for some other occasion. When she’s at school, she’s in good hands. When I’m working on the “Mommy Gut” at the gym, she’s still in good hands. Maybe I can channel my guilt elsewhere… like the fact that she won’t be getting a $50,000 car for her 16th birthday, like the kids on MTV.

Posted by Angie Kirk, Y Preschooler Parent, Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Family Center Y