Mom against Guilt

Life becomes combat zone once you decide to go to work leaving your little one under supervision of someone else.

So what’s difficult in it? Why life is being compared by combat zone?

It’s not that easy. It’s way too hard! This decision makes you feel guilt all the time and the working mom guilt is brutal. Relatives and neighbors help to feel more culprit saying, “Oh such a little fellow goes to babysitting? Poor guy!” Who do think they are to say this?  What do they think I don’t love my son? If they think so, I have sympathy with them for having such a cheap thinking. No mother would ever appreciate such a disheartening remark from those ill- mannered people. Are you people really bothered about my kid or is my self- independent spirit that pinches you.     

This situation becomes even worse when you do not have any support system at home. It is easy to point fingers at others but someday put yourself in my shoes, you will realize how much a working mother goes through.

We do have deadlines, meetings, targets, conferences unlike our male colleague. In addition, we have to take care of all little stuff at home—school event, parents meeting, cooking, laundry, feeding, cleaning, social events, and what not! Working mother masters the art of multitasking and they are eligible for the title, ‘Super mom’. 

I also break down when someone swank about the splendid things she does for her child which I cannot do being a working mother. But somewhere deep in my heart I know that I am not doing anything wrong. I celebrate every second of the little time that I get to spend with my son. I don’t think that I am lesser than any woman who is physically present with her children entire day. I know there is difference between being present and being attentive.     

I am not sorry I work rather I am grateful yet worried at same time. I am not sorry that that my son sees his dad getting him ready for school, since we both work so we split the job at home as well. I am grateful of having such an understanding partner and I wonder how single working mothers must be managing everything all alone. I salute them with all respect. I also feel good that my son is more likely to grow up to be actively engaged in the care of his own children because he has witnessed his dad doing the same. But I am worried if my son will ever get jealous of other kids whose mom stay with them all day. This thought takes peace of my mind. So here we fight everyday silently with relatives, neighbors and our self.