The Mom Guilt Factor

Work.. Stay at home debate.  I've been on both sides of the fence.  I've always been very focused, new exactly what I was doing, what I was going to be.. and then I had kids :)
My oldest son is 7, and when he was born, I went back to my corporate job because we didn't want to go without the money, and all my friends did the same.  I felt guilty.. each day I dropped him off.  I raced out of work and spent every minute with him until bed.
The night before my second son was born, I decided to work part time.  At my current job, I had that flexibility... So I decided to stay home in the afternoons.. work every free moment from home and go to the office only in the morning.  My guilt lessened.  I actually felt really good as my second son grew older and got to go to preschool in the morning, and I was home in the afternoon.  I also got to spend 2 years home with my older son in the afternoon..
We didn't have as much money... in comes the guilt?  Was I not able to provide my kids with all they needed?  I figured out it wasn't so much what they needed... but what they "wanted"
I guess I feel that when you are a Mom.. you have guilt.  All the time you have guilt.  You are gone too much, your kids aren't getting social interaction, you are smothering them, your not teaching them enough.. it never ends.  The best info I can give to the Work vs Home debate, is that every family is different.  I've experienced both sides and understand the guilt of both.
BTW-  Boy number 3 is here... and hopefully I will be full stay at home with him by the summer.  I'm sure this will bring on more guilt, but we can only do what we can :)

Boys and Games

I have three young boys, four counting my husband.  What is it about boys and electronics?  Is it a learned behavior or genetic?  With all the men in my life, I tend to believe that it is somewhat genetic.  The need to compete and "get to the next level" runs deep in my boys.... however, my husband and I may not be great role models.  Being in IT our entire lives has led our lives to lean on the electronic side.  We have 3 laptops (2 Dells, 1 Mac) and a desktop.  We have an IPAD, several IPODs and my husband's latest new gadget the EVO.  I guess I shouldn't be surprised my 7 and 4 year old boys always want to play the DS, WII or computer.  They love playing "Angry Birds" on the IPAD and EVO.  They know how to download apps, see the weather on the WII and order their own Netflix.  Anyone else in this boat?  I'm constanting limiting the amount of TV time, game time, electronic toy time.  IT IS EXHAUSTING!  I look forward to the day when the boys can shut it off on their own.  Will this day ever come??

I will not give in to the battle.  I will continue to only allow 45 minutes of game time a day.  I will make them do puzzles and free play time, dancing with music time, and of course reading time.  As easy as it would make my life to let them play to their hearts desire, I refuse.  They know the limits, they know I won't let in.... then they go ask dad :)