Mum guilt - talk some sense into me!

[MonkeyPetal]

I’m a teacher and I’m on my first half term since returning from maternity leave. I’ve been looking forward to spending this week with my DS and husband but also, I’m craving some time alone. I feel so guilty about the thought of having a few hours to myself, like I should be spending that time with my LB seeing as he’s been at nursery full time for the past 8 weeks. I can’t seem to switch the mum guilt off! Talk some sense into me, please!

Please do take those few hours, honestly. Wanting a bit of time on your own after eight weeks of nursery runs and a return to teaching does not undo all the time you have spent with him, and it does not make you less present as a parent.

I am married with a three year old, and I have found I am much more patient and actually fun to be around after I have had a proper break, even a short one. When I try to push through feeling wrung out, I end up snapping over small things and then feeling worse.

Could you split the week a bit? Maybe keep one morning properly together, then take an afternoon just for yourself without trying to earn it by doing chores first. A walk, a coffee in peace, a nap, whatever actually recharges you. He will still have had a lovely half term with you, and you will go back to school less depleted. That is not selfish, it is part of keeping the whole thing sustainable.

Do you mean your baby will be in nursery whilst you are off? I used to take the odd day off and leave my DS in nursery so I could have a bit of time to myself. And given that you are a teacher, school holidays are the only time you can possibly do this. You'll probably find your time with your baby is even more enjoyable when you've time to recharge by yourself.

Oh no my husband has taken this week as annual leave too!

We’ve had such a lovely day at a play cafe together today and I feel like that’s made it worse cause he just seemed so happy to be with both me and and his dad!

Wrung out is exactly the feeling.