Avoiding feelings of guilt
January 4, 2012
Many moms are quick to feel guilty about how well they balance parenthood with other parts of their lives.
According to Parenting magazine, experts say that some of the things mothers commonly feel guilty about doing are not only beneficial to themselves, but to their children as well.
For instance, leaving your child at home to get errands done may make some parents feel that they're somehow minimizing the amount of time they spend with their little ones. However, the magazine insists that hiring a babysitter for a few hours can help you check things off your to-do list while your kids are having fun with and learning from someone different.
"Many moms might not think to leave their child unless it's for an evening out," parenting coach Peggy Alvarado told the magazine. "But having someone sit while you get things done on occasion is amazingly therapeutic. Because so many child-related tasks seem never-ending, the sense of accomplishment can really keep your stamina up, and your child would surely rather be doing something other than all those errands."
Other things that moms may feel guilty about include watching television, having a hobby, spending time with friends and getting a lot of sleep. The magazine insists that all of these things can help mothers be more present and attentive when they're at home with their children.
Mothers who want to pursue their dream of getting a college education often harbor feelings of guilt as well. After all, the time and financial commitment necessary to achieve this goal are considerable.
However, experts say that parents who return to school set a great example for their children.
"As a parent, you demonstrate the importance of education to your children every day when you show them you're making your own education a priority. Many children of parents who went back to school have high respect for their parents' sacrifices and are likely to make education a priority for themselves," states DistanceEducation.org.
In addition, moms who pursue a college education are helping to ensure their family's financial independence.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2010 individuals with a bachelor's degree made an average of $1,038 per week, compared to $767 per week for those with an associate's degree, $712 per week for those with some college (but no degree) and $626 per week for those with a high school diploma.
Those who want to ease the financial burden of enrolling in a traditional or online college or university should know that various scholarships, grants and financial aid are available. Scholarships for mothers, single mother scholarships, grants for parents and other aid can help make achieving your dream a financial reality.
