Dealing with Guilt as a Work from Home Mom

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Mom Types - Work From Home Moms

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Balance by Pink Sherbert Working from home and raising a family can seem like an insurmountable balancing act. Dealing with guilt can become an issue when moms begin to feel spread too thinly.

Sometimes, it's easy for moms to put themselves on a guilt trip. Trying to be successful at your work, while feeling like a loving and competent mother, is not always an easy endeavor. If you accomplish a ton of work for your business, chances are that your time with children will be limited. If, on the other hand, you give your undivided attention to the children or home responsibilities, your business will suffer.

Guilt can be a useful emotion, when used properly. It can serve as a reminder to make sure your priorities are in check. However, once that has been achieved, guilt needs to be released. It can cause stagnation in your life, and lead to feelings of defeat.

Plan and Manage Your Time

One of the simplest ways to avoid guilt altogether, is to properly manage your time. Allot adequate time for working, household duties, time with children, and a little bit of downtime to rejuvenate. This helps set your mind at ease, because you'll feel comfortable that all aspects of your life will have their due time.

Daily Reminders of Priorities

When you feel guilt creeping up, remind yourself of what you are trying to accomplish. Thriving work and a happy home are admirable goals, and worthy of the effort that they demand. A vision board is a great tool to use. Position it in a conspicuous place with pictures that trigger happiness and success for you.

Be Realistic and Flexible

Even with proper planning and positive reminders, the unexpected happens. Your work may not go as expected, and require more time than you anticipated. A child may get sick, or have a need that takes precedence. No problem. Just be flexible and understand that life gets messy. Understand that balance is achieved over a lifetime, not day in and day out perfection.

Moms have an important and unique mission in the world. Balancing priorities and maintaining a positive mindset are keys to dealing with guilt. When steps are taken to manage the guilt, business and family relationships will improve.

Image Credit: Pink Sherbert Photography

Sunny is an accomplished freelance writer, fitness coach, and website developer. She is currently working out of her Carolina home, homeschooling her four children. She can be reached on Body Mojo, one of her sites that she currently runs. Or follow her on www.twitter.com/bodymojo



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good article
Petula (Author) 2009-11-04 10:42:56

Yes, the balancing act can be quite difficult. I don't know how you work from
home and homeschool... that's true talent! Ever since my youngest has been
home (changes in daycare and whatnot) I've had a difficult time with balance and
getting anything accomplished. I think my guilt - more frustration I think - is
that I am head of household so if I don't work enough I don't make enough money
therefore it's a struggle to maintain a quality of life I would like.
Thanks
avatar
sunnybodymojo (Author) 2009-11-05 07:34:21

You're right, I guess it is more of a "frustration" than anything else.
Wish we could do it all - with more ease - and more efficiently. It's hard to
maintain the quality of life we're all after.

All we can do, really, is try
our best to find peace in the attempts at balancing our lives, right?
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