When moms away, baby isn’t only one feeling anxious.
A few weekends ago I had an amazing girls weekend with some of my besties. And while I had the most fun, in the back of my mind I was missing my daughter like crazy!!
They always talk about the milestones and the separation anxiety from the child’s perspective, but never did I think I would feel it in full force myself. Or feel so guilty about it.
This is not the first time I’ve been away from my daughter for longer than the hours she’s at daycare, but it doesn’t seem to get any easier regardless of if it’s the 1st, 5th or 100th time. I can’t tell you how many days I want to drive down to daycare and either give her a hug, a kiss, or just pick her up early just because I miss her so much. (Thankfully she loves her daycare so I never worry if she’s missing me too, she’s too distracted with lots of fun and friends.)
I find myself sending so many “checking-in” texts that I’m sure both my mom and Cameron are irritated with me. I have total faith she is fine, having fun, and is being well taken care of, but I just can’t help wanting updates or photos just to ease my mind. I think a lot of it stems from the mom guilt I feel about leaving her to go do something for me. I feel as though, since I decided to be a mom, my whole life should now focus on Cameron, that a lot of times I forget to take care of me to the point I get so burnt out. It’s so easy to have that mom guilt, and to feel like you’re being selfish to take an hour, an evening, or a weekend to recharge yourself so that you can be the best mom you can be.
The kids need a healthy mom, not just a mom. You can’t be there for them if you are so burnt out. So take that time, make that cup of coffee, go read a book, plan that girls night or weekend. And it’s ok to feel that separation anxiety, they are your kids and you love them with every fiber of your being. But they are more than ok and want you to enjoy yourself as much as you can! And when you come back, the joy of seeing that smile on their face just says it all!
