Mom Guilt in the Summer

Every summer rolls around with me envisioning all the fun things the kids and I will do. Five years ago, I hit on my ideal summer schedule--writing related work all morning, errands and outings in the afternoon. But life changes. The kids change. And I change too.

This summer has proven one thing to me. I am soooo NOT superwoman!!

Move over Brangelina, we have a new power couple, "Mophie!" This is my cousin Lacy and her adorable weiner dog, Mo, Sophie's doggie boyfriend! Aren't they cute? 

The summer scramble started the day after school let out. We packed our car as full as its ever been and drove to upstate New York for my son's week-long baseball tournament. When we returned, we aired out the wet camping gear, unpacked, and headed up north for the day to visit my dad. The next week I caught up on the writing work I'd skipped the previous week. Then another baseball tournament as well as my daughter's running group intervened with my goals. Just when I started to meet my business goals, we headed to Michigan to spend a long weekend with both sets of families.

Last week was major catch-up time with haircuts, shopping, and what-not. You know the drill. You forget how time-consuming errands can be until you have several in one week. No time to squeeze in any of the fun stuff I hoped to do.

Anyway, we all make choices. Because of my dad's condition, one of my choices is to drive the two-and-a-half hours north to visit him about twice a month. I can't always get there, but I try. We also chose to allow my son to join a fall sport that requires summer practices. My daughter has summer practices for her fall sport. This means we're not able to travel at all during the month of August. It also means I'm driving the mom-taxi most weekday mornings in July.

I was feeling too busy, stressed, and guilty. But I'm being kinder to myself, letting go of the mom guilt!

I had to give up some of my fantasies of fun for this summer. That's okay. We've fit a quick zoo trip in. I'll head to the pool or beach soon. If it's not the most exciting summer ever, oh well. My family can benefit from a relaxing, semi-boring season for once!

Do you ever feel guilty in the summer? Like thinking of all the things you planned on doing but realizing there's no way you'll be able to fit them in?

Have a terrific Monday!!

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Mother's Day Guilt

Should be so simple, right? Honor the moms in our life one Sunday each May. Easy!

Well...

My life hiking in front of me. I'm always a few steps behind!

This holiday is a toughy. On one hand I'm blessed with an incredible mother. My mom and I have weathered a lot this year, having to make hard decisions about my dad and navigate the life upheaval that comes with it. The sacrifices she's made, the love she's filled with, and her strong faith impress me every day. And I'm blessed with a wonderful mother-in-law who has always gone out of her way to make me feel loved. The moms in my life deserve to be honored! 

But we live a few hours away from both sets of parents. We also have sports and church commitments most weekends, making it difficult to visit. Therefore, we sent our moms cards this year and called them. Do I feel guilty not taking them out for a big breakfast, showing up on their porches with pretty hanging baskets of flowers, and giving them hugs yesterday? 

Yes!!

Then there's the other guilt-inducer surrounding this holiday. My peers. Yes, I've been beyond blessed with two children. One even got her driver's license last Friday. My kids are growing up but they'll always be my babies. However, I'm all too aware of friends who struggled with infertility or lost precious babies to miscarriages. Worse, there are parents in our area who recently lost teens. I can't imagine the pain they're suffering. 

While we're on the subject, Mother's Day can be brutal for anyone who has lost a mother or is estranged from a mom or child. I wouldn't blame someone for spending the day in bed. 

I'm saluting all the women in my life. Single, married, moms or not--you all make my life better and I appreciate you!! 

Do you suffer from Mother's Day guilt?

Have a wonderful day!

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I Waste Produce Every Week

Here's one of those lingering guilt issues I deal with regularly.

I waste produce. Every single week.

It may be a quarter of a cucumber or half of a somewhat soggy onion. Two black bananas (yes, I freeze old bananas but I have limits on how many at a time!). A pile of shredded brown lettuce. A bunch of mushy baby carrots.

Have I thrown away an entire pineapple with mold on the bottom because I waited too long to cut it? Yes, multiple times.

I loathe wasting food, but every Monday, I'm tossing the contents of two or three Tupperware containers, the wilted, grody stuff in the veggie crisper, and a few slices of stale bread.

Two black bananas are staring at me as we speak. Do I throw them in the trash? No. They stay on the counter, mocking me, adding to my irritation with myself.

Why didn't I eat them for a snack when they were ripe?

I know why. I chose m&ms instead.

So that brings on an entire new layer of guilt. Not only am I wasting food, I'm also eating unhealthy. Great. Guilt on multiple levels. :)

Do you throw away more food than you'd like? Does anyone have a good compost solution for a small, suburban yard?

Have a terrific weekend!

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