Going Back to Work? How to Deal with Mom Guilt

Mom guilt comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, but nothing is worse than the level of guilt we feel when the inevitable time comes to go back to work. I know, I’ve been there, trust me. The pitiful looks you get when you say how excited you are to get back to your job or career are enough to make you call it quits and stay home forever.

But the fact of the matter is that you shouldn’t feel guilty. You shouldn’t be faced with that overwhelming sense of wrongness for being excited. Before baby, your job was what you did. Day in and day out. And while the break is probably nice, so is the thought of finally getting out of the house and grasping that sliver of independence again. So, just in case you’re dealing with mom guilt, here’s a few things to remember.

You Don’t Owe Anybody an Explanation

If someone asks you why or how you can leave your baby to go back to work, just simply say “because I want to”. Shrug off that urge to make up excuses or justify it to people.

It’s Okay to Want Things

Remember that you’re a person, too. You have wants and needs and desires. If going back to work makes you happy, or if you’re family needs the extra income, then just do it. It’s so funny how mothers instantly lose all sense of self for a while. We stop treating ourselves, we give up the things we enjoy because our lives instantly become all about baby. Which is okay, and normal! But, just remember that you exist, too!

You’ll Be Happier

At first, the transition is hard. But that can be said about anything. Soon you’ll fall into a comfortable routine. Baby will that much needed socialization with the outside world. And when you come home at the end of the day, just think about how precious that time will be. Just imagine how happy you’ll be to see your child anxiously waiting for you. It’ll make you appreciate the time you have more.

The Feeling Goes Away

Regardless of what I say here in this article, you’re still going to face the mom guilt. It’s inevitable. You’ve taken on the life-long responsibility to care for another human being and now you’re thinking about leaving them for hours each day. It’s expected that you’ll feel bad about it. But just keep in mind that your child will be fine. You’re not doing a bad thing. And, eventually, that feeling just goes away.