My husband was off work last Thursday, and we had decided he would going to take the kids to the zoo. I was ready to settle in for a morning of work uninterrupted at home. Except then I realized I would miss out on family time together, exactly the thing I told myself I would not miss out on by working for myself.
This revelation brought on a whole new set of feelings. I felt guilty for wanting to work and allowing him to take the kids to the zoo without me. I was not feeling “mom guilt” for letting my very capable husband take the kids, but rather, I felt guilty for wanting to work.
The real honest truth is, I love my family, but I love my work and the company I have created. I want to get my work done, make money and provide for my family. What do you do in this situation?
My work fills a particular part of my tank and I do not regret that fact. My family fills my heart too, just in a different way. I made the decision to go with my family and had a lovely time, enjoyed the break from the computer and got my fill of Minnesota’s sticky July weather. On the drive home, while talking it through with my husband, I have decided I don’t want to feel guilty anymore for wishing I was working, and I am very thankful I love the work I do.
With my flexible schedule, I am usually able to get work done when I can, and I usually work ahead on projects which affords me the ability to create free time for family. In the last week I have decided to create days where I focus on a particular task. Dana Malstaff was the one who introduced me to this idea and so far it has worked really well.
I have a babysitter for the kids twice a week on Monday and Thursdays so on those days I am working on client work and I might go to one day or half a day working on my business. The other days I am working on cleaning the house, running errands (which usually includes getting lost in Target for an hour), church on Sundays and giving myself freedom to work while I can with the kids asleep. I am liking the scheduled flexibility that I am creating. I start working with a new coach, Diana Kerr, at the end of the month so I am excited to see what she says and incorporate her ideas too.
I would love to know what you do to keep from feeling guilty about working and how you schedule your week.
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