Someone explain to me why I feel guilty

Aug26Bride

So last year I went back to work when dd was four months old. I was miserable. Not only did I have a new position which was incrediblly stressful and I hated, I also hated being away from LO and depending on others to watch her. So I decided to finish the school year  and then stay home and if I had to work part time. I wanted to enjoy these first few years with dd. so now, a week before school starts I get offered my old job back, my old position that I used to love. My mind set has been to stay home so why do I feel so guilty turning down a job I know I would love? I keep thinking in my head no one wants to leave their baby, but thousands of women do so why should I be any different.  I kind of feel like why cant i be happy working and having a baby at home when so many others can juggle it. I just didnt feel likedibs slanted both well at all. Help me understand why I feel so guilty! I was so happy and excited to be home until this offer came along and now I feel bad not going back. Anyone else feel like this? 

rlmanning

I would give my arms and leggs to be able to stay home with my LO. I understand your guilt, I cant explain why you feel that way, but I think I would feel the same way. When you start to feel the guilt go and do a puzzle with your LO or do some kind of interactive activity together. Im sure the feeling will pass. Hang in there momma, your doing the right thing!

dannie2011

You feel guilty because as a mom the world wants us to be supermoms. Look at all the women in a busy career doing the working mom thing. Some of these women love it, some hate it, but we never see on TV, magazines etc about the moms who hate working who want to stay at home but can't.

Loving that position is why you feel guilty. If you took the job, you would  of felt guilty going back to work, or they could of changed things up and you no longer like that position.

You turned it down you should not feel guilty, you are doing what is best for your family.

Aug26Bride

Thanks ladies, you make so much sense. Xoxo 

Jills83

I can't answer your question for you, but a friend of mine who is a teacher said this once and I liked it: there will always be young people to educate in the future, but her LOs will only be this small once. Someday you will be in the classroom again, but for now enjoy this once in a lifetime chance with your family. I bet you will feel better sbout your decision once back to school season is over.

kayjay10

I understand why you feel guilty.  I have been struggling with staying home or continue to work since I went back after maternity leave.  I love my job, but I feel like I'm missing so much of my DD.  I see her 2 hours a night during the week.  But I also feel that if I stay at home and ever need or want to go back to work, this great job won't be there.  At the moment, we are not in a position financially for me to stay home, but if we were, I would vote stay home for me.  So as long as it works for your family, don't feel guilty about not working in a job you love because ultimately, you are staying home with your LO that you love more

lovebugkim

You turned it down for a reason & that reason outweighed everything else & probably always will. If I had the option of staying home I would, but then someday's I enjoy having a job & couldn't imagine it any other way. It sounds to me that the only reason you feel guilty is because you loved the job & the fact that you passed it up & it won't be available to you when you want it back sucks. But just like PP's said there will always be a job & your baby will only be young once. Such is life.

Telly21182

dannie2011:

You feel guilty because as a mom the world wants us to be supermoms. Look at all the women in a busy career doing the working mom thing. Some of these women love it, some hate it, but we never see on TV, magazines etc about the moms who hate working who want to stay at home but can't.

There definitely needs to be a show about a working mom that is struggling to find the balance between home/work, but she's working because she has to!  Not all women on TV need to be superwoman/mom and trainwrecks!

M&M227

It's difficult.  Before DD I always thought I would be a working mom and totally happy to have my career and life outside the house.  I could see why moms want to stay home or choose to, but didn't think that was me.  Until I had DD.  I love being a teacher and last year was insanely stressful for me and ended with me being denied tenure and let go in March.  I would absolutely stay home if I could.

I spent the last 6 months being a SAHM and it was amazing.  Yesterday (I posted about it below) I was called for an interview and offered a job starting today.  I had to take it, we cannot live on just DHs salary and were relying on every penny of unemployment that I was getting.  I'm excited for my new job (and it seems to be better) but I'm having a lot of mixed emotions.  Today it was wonderful to be out of the house and with adults all day long (and not dealing with a grumpy baby), but I missed her so much.  

I can totally understand your feelings.  

 Also, being a teacher is really difficult and it doesn't end when you leave the building.  It's really difficult to juggle work and home life.  Us teachers really earn every minute of summer vacation with all the long days we put in during the year.