My caring husband bought me the book Mommy Guilt as a not-so-subtle hint for me to lighten up and have more fun. The subtitle, Learn to worry less, focus on what matters most, and raise happier kids, was appealing enough… and my commute and daily visit to the pumping room gave me ample time to read it. It’s filled with some helpful exercises and tips.
For over three years now, I have had the top ten checklists taped inside my medicine cabinet. It turns out that if you feel mommy guilt when you have a BABY, it just keeps on piling on as your kids get older so you might as well work to fight it as soon as it rears its ugly head (like when the yelling starts).
Devra and Aviva (two of the authors) also have a blog and run workshops through Parentopia. And they reviewed our book, which was super nice of them. Click over there and read a little bit today if you are in need of absolution from parental angst.
Hey, how did you like the chapters on husbands and fathers? ; )
As for “ligtening up” certainly it’s easier said than done, this is why we included the stories from our survey respondents. I think it helps so much to hear we’re not the only ones feeling as we do, whether the feelings are positive or negative. While the survey is on the Mommy Guilt site, there is even more information and parent resources available at http://www.Parentopia.net where Aviva and I have a blog and all kinds of resources. Aviva and I do travel the country doing book discussions, seminars, workshops, fundraisers, etc. We also do virtual book discussions and blog visits! Tell your hubby we are proud of him, and if you want to send your book to us, Aviva and I would be happy to sign it and return it to you!
Thanks Devra! I like the approach you have about husbands and fathers… most of my wrestling with guilt is in my own head and not for lack of involvement from Alec though.
I recently printed out the tenets of mommy guilt (free) and wifey guilt (free) living for my medicine cabinet to drill them more into my head.
Also, my list of 50 things I love to do has blossomed into over 117 things I love to do. I’m still working on it (cuz list-writing is on my list)…
All of it sounds great! Sounds like you are taking all the steps necessary to wrestle your guilt, pin it to the ground and not let it get the best of you.
Way to go!
Looks like a good thought-provoking book! I’ll add it to my list! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
[...] doing it is hard. Which is why I read the book Mommy Guilt and studied it so [...]