Here is a small sample of the things I feel guilty about on a fairly regular basis:
- that my kids don't get outside enough.
- that my kids don't eat enough vegetables and don't take multivitamins.
- that Bruno doesn't get the same attention he got pre-kids.
- that Ollie doesn't get near the same amount of book time Rhett got.
- that Ollie will not have the only-child attention until Rhett's off in college/mission, at which point Ollie probably won't want all that attention.
- that my house isn't nearly as clean as it used to be.
- that I never have side dishes at dinner.
- that we don't use the sandbox because it rains here all the time and gets gross.
- that I leave Chuck every Saturday morning for my long runs and he is "stuck" with the boys.
- that I make Rhett go to preschool even though he recently divulged to me that he doesn't want to go.
Update 2: We spent three days last weekend in the sandbox. And Ollie didn't eat all the sand (which, of course, was my fear in letting him get in it)!
I totally hear you on the side dishes thing!! Getting dinner on the table is hard enough! If we do have a side it's usually a simple vegetable steamer pack.
ReplyDeleteI can't speak for future Ollie but I loved my "only child" time when I was 17! We did lots of fun stuff just the 3 of us and I was completely spoiled. It rocked :)
Don't let the guilt get to you!! You are a great mom! So many things I hear you do or see on your blog make me want to be better too! Nobody is perfect- just keep at it! Your boys love you no matter what.
That Emily is so right. I ditto her entire last paragraph and repeat... You are a great mom! I so admire you.
ReplyDeleteBut what a reality, eh? You are a fantastic mom and feel guilt. (Imagine if you were a terrible mom? Does that mean you feel more guilt or no guilt? Ha!) Being a parent is so hard! (Although I suspect men feel much less guilt on a daily basis - sexist? Probably, but I think it's a true stereotype.) I share many of your same guilts. Man, I need to do a post like this.
I think you're wonderful. Brilliant. Honest.
you're brave to list your guilts. . . but i guess they are pretty normal and not that bad!
ReplyDeleteyou'll have 1-on-1 time with ollie next year when rhett is at school all day, right!?
bruno and wilson could relate very well. . .
and don't feel guilty about your long runs - maybe i say that because i don't want to feel guilty about mine! but perhaps i feel a tinge, but it's just a tinge. sometimes thinking of my long run is what helps me make it to saturday!
How did I not know about this blog! I love it Erin...your list of guilt is about the same length as mine! Although mine includes things like: telling my kids they can't come out of their room until 7:00 am or else; sneaking snacks for myself after telling my kids it isn't snack time; I'll stop now because the guilt is really setting in!
ReplyDeleteWe miss you guys and hope all is well there in rainy MD. Wait, I thought we moved to the rainiest place in the US? Tell everyone hi! by the way...did you watch Top Chef Masters? One of the contestants reminded me of Chuck!