Parenting by guilt

Parenting is all about guilt management.  Love and guilt go hand in hand when it comes to kids along with a good dose of self doubt.  Am I spending enough time with him?  Should I switch off the tv / work less / not go to the gym so that I can play / read with the kids?  Am I doing all I can to make sure he's growing up a happy kid?  Gosh, the list is endless.  And since there are only 24 hours in a day with a finite amount of energy or sanity to spare, it becomes a zero sum game - a constant tug of war between wanting to do right by the family and the other, often neglected party, me.  Most times, the family wins hands down.  Then there would be the guilt about not hitting the threadmill (even if I'm freaking tired because Lucas woke me up twice last night).  And if I go out to meet friends, am I being selfish?

So as I see it, survival in the parenting game is about occasionally shutting out the dissenting nagging voice in the head and balancing everyone's needs: babies, hub & self.  It's complicated. I only hope that in the long run, all will be well.


Alexander is nearly 3 years old while the tiny tyke, Lucas, is 9 months old