Dealing With Distractions: Mom (and Dad) Guilt

Parents, especially moms, are often filled with immense guilt, no matter what they do. They feel like they never spend enough time with their children, no matter if they work or stay at home with them. They feel guilty because they want to work on their business so that it can be successful.

Some parents feel like their work and businesses can suffer because they are too busy dealing with the demands of toddlers and children. The dirty house just gives them another reason to feel guilty. They can't keep up after a home, their children, and their business.

Then, once children start having after-school activities, the guilt is even worse. Many parents run their children here and there several nights a week. They are not home very often.

What can be done about this guilt, especially if you feel like you don't spend enough time with your children because you are too busy?

Spend quality time with your children every day. It is important to spend time with your children every day. Make that time all about you and your child. Forget about work and everything else on your to-do list and just enjoy this time. Play with them when they are young. Take them to the park, so you are focused on them. Read books and watch movies together.

Plan family time on your calendar. It is very important to put family activities on your calendar. Put on all of your children's after-school activities. You may also need to schedule quality family time if necessary.

Do not over-schedule your child. Some parents let their children do any after-school activities that they want. They schedule play dates and other activities. However, your children don't need to do everything! Children need time at home and time with you. They can get overwhelmed if they have too many activities.

Do things with your children that they like to do. Your children are going to enjoy spending time with you, but they will like it even more if you do things that they enjoy. Do they enjoy sports? Special movies or television shows? Playing games?

Plan special outings. It is important to do things outside of your home with your children. Treat your children (and yourself) to amusement parks, aquariums, zoos, tractor shows, and other things that you can enjoy as a family. These days will go down as special days.

Have your children help around the house. Especially when your children are young, they just want to spend time with you. Have them help put away the dishes or laundry. They can carry things and feel very important in the process.

Have family dinners and movie nights. Many families enjoy eating dinner together most nights. This can be a nice time to spend with your family. Movie nights, complete with popcorn and snacks, can also be special times.

The biggest thing is that you need to let go of your guilt, so you can have a happy family, a (mostly) clean house, and a successful business. You may have to cut back on some activities for your child (and yourself) in order to have plenty of time to spend together. You can have family dinners and movie nights, as well as plan outings that everyone can enjoy.

Make sure that you don't always think of yourself. Try to plan activities that your children will enjoy. Even if you have to schedule family time on the calendar, it will be worth it when you are connected as a family. It will also benefit your business when you have adequate time at home with your family.

Previously published on Medium.