The Truth About Being a Mom-trepreneur

October 13, 2016

I’m sitting here in an indoor playground watching my two year old run around while I work.

I should be working, not writing this. But this has been one of things on my heart to write about now for more than a couple months.

You want to know what the hardest part about being a parent is? Its time management.

The trouble with owning your own business and staying at home with your kids is the guilt. Its different than dropping off your kids to a day home or a daycare, because every single day when my sweet little boy asks me to play ball, I have to say “no, mommy is working”. I say this about 40 times a day.

I tell him no, I can’t, work is more important than you right now.

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The parents who are at work, get to be present while they are there and then when they are home, they get to present when they’re home. When they’re at the office, they aren’t constantly looking down into the eyes of their precious child and saying “no” to playing with them.

This is a psychological warfare for me.

“Things to do, work to be done.”

If I have editing to do or emails to reply to, I feel guilty when I’m not doing them. And when I’m working, I’m feeling guilty for not spending time with my little. (Oh this precious time, it will be gone so fast!) And what is the trade off? I’m not entirely sure that its worth *any* trade, at this point.

And now I’m crying because I’m worried that I use places like this as a way “out” so I can work and try to not feel as guilty, as if he is some burden that gets in the way of my work and this makes it easier to justify my work. UGH. I can’t even begin to describe my disgust at this.

This boy of mine, he is my light. He is my joy. And each and every day, I affirm to him that “work is more important, right now, sweetie”.

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I want my boy to proud of me and to be inspired to chase after his dreams the way I have. So in that way, I feel relief. And I know that I’m also simultaneously creating a healthy independence in him. Don’t get me wrong, I know I’m not a monster. But I just need to get it off my chest and say it out loud that I feel like I’m not being the best version of myself that I can be for him, right now. Not like this.

I refuse to wake up one day and think back to these days and have regret over the time I lost with him.

The days are long, but the years are short. In a blink of an eye, I will be in the place where a parent “misses” the cuddles with their babe. And more than anything, I need him to know that he matters more. I need to know in my spirit that he never had a single doubt about that. And right now, I’m not so sure that he does.

He asks me less and less to play with him, because he’s getting used to the answer. And that right there is how a heart breaks.

You want to know what the worst part of all of this is? I love what I do SO much that I seriously don’t know what to do about all of this. My work fulfills a part of my soul that I can’t begin to describe. But yet, my responsibility is to him and my heart.

I’m not entirely sure what the point of this blog is, except to maybe say to the others walking on this same path that I’m totally with you and my heart breaks with yours. Its important to know what you’re giving up to do what you do. It’s important to have peace about it. And right now I don’t have peace. Its the worst its ever been for me. So I’m going to keep on looking for it, and keep trying to find that mystical unicorn called “balance”. I’ll let you know if I ever find it.

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Truly inspiring for all mamma’s out there who are at war with the guilt of saying “no” – thank you for spreading the love and heartfelt reminder.

oh my gosh, EVERYTHING you said is the same with me! Im so happy i found this post because i feel a sense of support from it. It makes me feel like I am not alone in feeling this way. Thank you for pouring out your heart to strangers online, but know that you have at least helped me coup with the same work/life (baby) balance problem.

This…just this. What I feel every day. Thank you for this.

Yes, please let me know if you ever find that unicorn. I could use it’s presence as well.

Sweetheart! Thank you so much for posting this. I am in the same boat! It’s a tough balance. Always that contradiction. I have to work. But I want to be with my baby and raise her. But balance is necessary. I try to give my girl attention when she wakes until she naps. Then I hit the ground running with work. When she wakes up until daddy comes home, i’m with her. Then we take turns in the evening looking after her. And when she goes to sleep. I go back to work.

I want you to know, you are an amazing person and mommy. Your son will grow up with great work ethic and respect for the fact that his mommy is hardworking and loving.

Again, thank you for sharing this post!

I am one hundred percent on the same page lady. x3 kiddos. – mom guilt sucks. but know you’re not alone. I could go on and on about this evil bastard of balance… but you already know. we will get through it. and then we will miss it. let’s just chalk it up to education:) take care lady. breathe. xo

And need to purchase some presets while I’m here. 😉 xx

I needed to read this. I feel the exact same way and it’s nice to know it’s not just me saying “no” “in a minute” “just a second” “I’m almost done”
Thank you for your words.

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