Recently, another contributor wrote a post about being a “Mama in the Middle” when it comes to the choice of working or staying home with the kiddos. I related to this post because I always saw myself forced to remain a working mom due to my family’s added income and health insurance. However, this summer, my feelings have shifted.
I am a teacher, so I have been home all summer with my three-year-old son and 14-month-old boy/girl twins. For the first time since having children, I can’t wait to get back to work! And along with that statement comes a boatload of mommy guilt. But to ease my guilt, I decided to make a list of the good, the bad, and the ugly of MY current situation.
The Good
• I get to talk with adults about other things besides my children (instead, I’m discussing ways to help my students).
• I can go to the bathroom alone.
• When eating lunch, I don’t have to share.
• I can accomplish tasks in the appropriate amount of time.
• People listen to me (most of the time).
• I dress nicely with accessories.
• I can contribute financially to our family.
• My kids get to play with their Grammy twice a week, have one day with Daddy alone, and get special attention from our beloved nanny.
The Bad
• I’m not with my children for almost ten hours a day.
• I miss out on play dates, gym classes, story time, and my mommy friends.
• I’m tired when I get home, but I want to make the most of the little time I have before they are off to bed.
• To stay on top of things, I am sometimes forced to bring work home.
The Ugly
• I miss out on big milestones like first steps and first words and little milestones like goofy smiles and silly dances.
• Someone else is getting all the hugs and kisses.
• There is very little time for myself.
After completing my list, I realized that this list only applies to my current feelings at this particular moment. All summer, I’ve been complaining about needing a break from my kids, while with the past school year, all I did was complain about being away from my kids all day.
I recently saw a quote posted on Facebook. It stated, “The grass is greener only if you water it.” This pretty much sums up my life right now. I’ve been on both sides of the fence for a bit now, and I’ve come to terms with the fact that there is the good, the bad, and the ugly for every single situation we come across in life. My list probably looks way different from yours, and I guess my list will change and shift as I transition back to work.
