Feeling guilty? You’re not alone
March 13, 2012
Whether you're going to school or working outside of the home part-time or full-time, juggling the demands of getting an education or having a job with raising a family causes many moms to have feelings of guilt.
According to a recent study conducted by the Working Mother Research Institute, this so-called mommy guilt is anything but uncommon.
"We find that guilt and worry are universal conditions for moms," said Carol Evans, President of Working Mother Media. "Working mothers carry a greater burden of guilt and feeling judged than their at-home counterparts, but the gap is surprisingly slender."
The study, titled "What Moms Choose: The Working Mother Report," found that 51 percent of working moms feel guilty about not spending enough time with their kids. In addition, 55 percent said that they feel guilty that their homes are not as clean as they could be, and 48 percent said they feel guilty about not having enough time to take care of themselves.
However, nearly half (49 percent) of working moms say they are their own worst critics and can't blame their guilt on anyone other than themselves.
The fact that mothers who are working to fulfill themselves and help ensure their families' financial independence overwhelmingly feel guilty about it is discouraging, especially for moms who are pursuing a bachelor's degree in order to get a job outside of the home.
In fact, many mothers going to college feel the same guilt as their counterparts in the working world.
Experts say that no matter what stage of life you're in, it's important to avoid feeling too much guilt.
Remember that going to school may take you away from your family physically more than you want it to, but you're doing it to help make your family stronger in the end. After all, a happy mom equals a happy family!
As for feelings of guilt for spending so much money on yourself to get a degree, remember that it is expected to pay off. According to a recent U.S. Census Bureau report, individuals whose highest degree was a bachelor's degree had an average annual salary of $58,000 in 2010, compared to $31,000 for those who only completed high school.
In addition, grants for parents and various scholarships for mothers can help you avoid a lot of out-of-pocket expenses or debt while going to school.
