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A Positive Spin on Working Can Help Working Mom Guilt

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The weeks can feel so long when you work away from home ... I know drop-offs, commutes, time at the office + home life can get stressful.

When I think about my working life as a mom, I think about hyperventilating and feeling overly anxious when I had to go back to work after my first maternity leave. I think about crying on the subway ... and also having to stand at 9 months pregnant. 🙄 I think about my unreasonable desire to just quit because I couldn’t fathom spending 55 hours/week away from my baby.

So much of what I associated with being a working (at office) mom is negative... But there’s also the STRENGTH of getting through the sadness while getting work done ...while also remotely caring for his needs; the motivation to be successful (I’ve never been as motivated as I am now that I’m a mom); and the ability to get. stuff. done (mostly so I could get home at a reasonable time to be with them). Working away from your kids is tough. There’s no easy way, really. You might miss moments and feel perpetually guilty or exhausted... or probably both.

But if you spin it into POSITIVES then chances are you’ll feel better about it. When it comes down to it, you’re setting a great example for your kids. They love you. They won’t forget you. They’ll look up to you.

Don’t be so hard on yourself, mamas. Congrats on getting though the week— now enjoy your WEEKEND TOGETHER!!! (And for those who work weekends, it’ll be your “weekend” soon enough.)

Big hugs to you all!

Jackie, Moments of Musing

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