Guilt

The whole work life balance thing is such a challenge. I look around at some other working moms I know and I don't know how they do it, I wish I knew their secrets because I am barely managing it all.

I especially feel it this time of year when the job responsibilities are multiplied because it is at the end of the year, which requires a lot more work for us finance people. At the same time, it is the holidays which requires a ton of time too because I want to give the kids tons of memories and fun.

I have been given a project at work as we had some fixed asset audit findings and I have to get it all corrected for year end. This translates to a project that requires lots of hours and time is of the essence. The timing is the key, because next week the company actually shuts down for the entire week for the holidays. So, I only have this week to get the job done and work with the manufacturing people on getting it done. Finance will be working next week (of course) but we could not talk the manufacturing people into working (of course). So that leave only this week to finish. Anyway, I am sure you are falling asleep now, but this leads me back to the work-life balance and guilt issue.

Our babysitter is on vacation this week. Thankfully, Yaya has watched the kids Monday- Wednesday. I had scheduled to be off on Thursday a few weeks ago, so I am off today.  It has been a week of mom guilt:

*Monday through Wednesday I worked a lot and did not get home until late = GUILT
*I have not finished my Christmas shopping = GUILT
*The kids have exhausted my mom since she watched them 3 days in a row = GUILT
*Yesterday Zachary had a play date at his friends house and I did not get over to pick him up until 7 = GUILT
*When I picked up Zachary he had an accident for some reason = GUILT
*His friends mom also told me the Zachary was starting to get sick and did not feel well = GUILT
*Grace has not been doing her daily homework = GUILT
*Jason has been cooking dinner every night = GUILT
*I have not returned some phone calls and emails = GUILT
* Jason is doing a lot of the parenting duties this week = GUILT
*Thursday, I am off work and my boss had to take over my project = GUILT
*Typing on the computer instead of entertaining the kids right now = GUILT
*And just to prepare for the future GUILT = Being behind on Friday because I was off on Thursday

I wish I could learn how to not feel GUILT when I am at work and when I am at home. Either way, I can't win. In the end, I want the best of both worlds. I want a career where I can continue to be challenged and I want to spend every moment with the kids. I have not figured out how to do this, if you have please give me  your secrets.