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Melissa's Musings

Mommy Guilt- Happy Mother's Day!

5/13/2012

 
This is a post that I wrote a couple of years ago for Mother's Day.  It is perfect to share it again, especially because of the importance of the message. Happy Mother's Day Everyone!
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It is fitting that I had this conversation with my son just recently since Mother’s Day is coming up.  Often I hear other people tell me that being a parent means dealing with daily guilt and I suppose that is true.  Since children don’t come with instruction manuals, we are on our own to know what we need to do to make them successful, happy, well-adjusted, and loved. “Did you give them enough attention?  Did you listen to classical music while you were pregnant so that they will become the next Mozart?”  “Were you too brisk with them when they brought you that snake as a
gift?”   Some of these things are easier than others and of course, there are times when all those things are
very difficult.  If you don’t believe me, just wait until your teenager tells you that they had a“small accident” in your new car!  
 
As a divorced parent, you face even more guilt.  No matter how wonderful the divorce is, or how necessary, your children’s lives are changed for good.  You begin to question every decision that you made and wonder if you have somehow “damaged”your babies! “Is this
house good enough?” “Should I get mad if they act out or is it because of the divorce?”  If you are lucky enough to find someone who you love and want to spend time with... and are even more lucky to find someone who wants to be with you (kids and all), you face guilt over juggling this fresh romance with the needs of your children. You might as well build a new garage to house your guilt! “Am I spending too much time with my new boyfriend?” “Do my children feel that they have been replaced?”

Add to this mix, being a teacher and you have a treacherous situation!  Teachers look at children all day long and question what the parents did or didn’t do to produce these little wonders or little terrors!  We also worry about our progenies acting like some of our little challenges when our own children get to school!  “Will my daughter act up in class?”  “Will my son turn in his homework?”  And with the worry comes the conviction that if the child is a tribulation, it must be because of the parents!  Just shovel the guilt on our shoulders!  

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Finally, I decided to call my almost 17 year old son to ask him this one question that had been on my mind all day - “With all that you had gone through in life, how did you turn out so trustworthy?”  I think he was a little shocked that I thought he was such a dependable and honorable young man because it isn’t something that we have talked about before.  He was probably also a little stunned that I wanted to hear his thoughts.  But I thought for sure he had the answer that would help me be a better teacher and give me some perfect insight into what I must have done right!

Let me tell you a little about my son.  He has a wonderful sarcastic sense of humor which hides a very caring nature.  He used to cry if he thought that you were upset or sad as a child.  He faced his share of childhood illnesses and accidents, yet came away not too scared to keep trying.  He looks up to his older sister and admits a little competitiveness to be better than her!  Nonetheless, she was his closest confidant and staunchest supporter when he faced bullies in middle school.  Finally my son has the nature of a miser and will not spend money on things if he feels that they are too expensive.  He would rather give up certain items (or now that he is older-get his own job) because he doesn’t want to hurt us (his parents) financially.

So this was the guy that I went to for some help. One of the biggest things that he felt was important was the nagging that we did as parents.  He said that he did hear it.  So don’t give up on the million reminders to do your homework or to just walk away when you are being picked on!!  They do hear you!!  Another factor was his personal determination to be a success.  He doesn’t have an exact day or event that caused this but around 8th or 9thgrade; he realized that good grades were important to him and his future goals, career, and successes.  And while the time and effort that he sometimes has to put into his school work is vast and the work that he has to do is tedious, the final outcome is worthwhile. My son’s final piece of advice was to have a good sense of humor, using this to be true to yourself and not let the world get you down.  With humor, he has found that it is easier to stand up for yourself, avoid conflicts, and surround yourself with people who accept you as you are.  

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So after about an enjoyable hour on the phone, I thought, “Seems simple!  Seems like something that we all can do!!”  And I also was very glad that I had done something right throughout those almost 17 years! I have some pretty magnificent children!   Even with all the things that we worry about and feel guilty over; our children really do appreciate what we have given them, the foundation that they need to become breathtaking adults.  
 
Happy Mother’s Day! 
Laugh a lot, live well, and love unconditionally!  



Cassandre Dayne
5/13/2012 02:28:25 pm

What a glorious post all the way around. I always thought about being a good mother and knew I couldn't be but those who can and show this kind of love - OH LORDY! Happy Mother's Day lady

Melissa link
5/13/2012 03:16:09 pm

I've learned that being a mom is often having to be the bad guy. I remember the time I told my son that until his grades were brought up no video games, tv, etc. ... little did I know that would be the ten longest weeks of my life. So while I've been the bad guy for so long, hearing from my son that he valued what I did and the choices I made, makes it all worthwhile. Thank you BH. I really value your comment!

Peggy Browning link
5/13/2012 03:33:03 pm

I relate, Melissa! I guess mother guilt is common, but it seems like we're the only ones feeling it when we feel it. I really liked this post.

Melissa link
5/13/2012 11:49:31 pm

Very True Peggy. But we have to support each other and know that we are not alone. Each of us has those same feelings of inadequacies. It is how we get stronger. And if children came with owner's manuals it would probably be written in a language we couldn't understand! Thanks for stopping by!

Misty
5/14/2012 03:32:02 am

I just barely made it onto facebook after several days and say your link here. I've been divorced, a single mother, and now my children have a stepfather. I know the guilt, the questions, and the worry all so well.

I cried through this post. It touched me so deeply. Thank you for that, Melissa. I hold hope that I'm raising my children right. I want them to be as proud of themselves as I am of them.

Melissa link
5/14/2012 12:44:14 pm

Misty,
I truly feel for you. It is hard to do it all without the guilt. But I felt so much better knowing that even though I was a "bad mom" or "mean mom" I was a good mom for what counted, raising two wonderful children. I wish you all the best in your journey. But know that I'm here if you want to chat!


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