Over the past decade, my working status has changed quite a few times.
I was a working woman when I got married, became a stay at home mom when my son was born, went back to work after a year or so, and then became a stay at home mom again!
Eventually, I found options to start working from home, and that was my sweet spot. For over 5 years, I made an income working from home while being there for my husband and son.
This year however, my husband and I were led to take our business outside the home. We rented an office space, got it furnished and even hired a team to work with us.
By God’s grace, we’re able to keep the business running with new clients approaching us every month!
But the transition from work at home mom to working mom hasn’t been easy for me.
I am constantly being plagued with the guilt that I have less time to spend with my son, who seems to miss my presence at home.
It has been difficult for me and my son, as we adjust to a new routine this school year. But God has been dealing with me, teaching me a lot, and helping me navigate this quagmire of guilt that wears down on my soul.
Here are just a few ways I have been able to overcome working mom guilt.
Give yourself grace
We are often quick to offer others grace when they fall short, but rarely give ourselves the same privilege. As a working mom, I know I’ve had to make some sacrifices in order to support our family financially.
In all those areas I’ve fallen short, I try to offer myself grace and not be so hard on myself. We’re all doing our best for our families, and that is more than what our families need from us.
Remind yourself this is just a season
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” – Ecclesiastes 3:1
We go through various seasons in our lives. My past seasons of being a SAHM and then a WAHM have come and gone. This is the season for me to work outside the home, and I’m learning to embrace it unhesitatingly.
Family life changes as our kids grow, job requirements morph and our finances stabilize. We must not look back with yearning at the seasons past, but live intentionally in the season we are currently in.
Let your kids see you struggle and grow
My son grew up living a sheltered life – he had two doting parents, and everything he ever needed. In this season, as our family cuts corners to invest in our new business, my son sees our struggle and he is beginning to understand what we’re going through.
Through our struggles, we grow and our children get to see our growth. They have better perception and realize that the world (and the family) does not revolve around them anymore. Kids learn fast; they are quick to step up when there is a need and offer their help wholeheartedly.
Allow God to fill in the gaps
One area I struggled with as a working mom was not having enough time to spend with my son. While I do still pray with him and teach him about Jesus every chance I get, it’s much less than before.
But God has been teaching me that I can be diligent in planting seeds in my son’s heart, but it is He who will bring the change. While I did grow up in a Christian home, it wasn’t because of my parents that I turned to Jesus – it was all God!
When we are faithful in doing what we can to fill our children’s hearts, God will step in and fill the gaps. He will lead them to personally experience the intimacy of a personal relationship with Him. At the right time, God will work and He will make it happen!
A working mom might be pulled in different directions with tons of things to do. Even after a full day at office, I’ve had to attend client calls from home or stay up late to meet a deadline.
It can be a battle of sorts for our time – there never is enough.
But then again, we have the assurance that the battle belongs to the Lord. And He is more than enough for us… for our family!
About the Author: School teacher turned internet marketing consultant, Sunu Philip is a Certified SEO Specialist. She founded Clothed in Scarlet to help women discover their unique God-given strengths and turn their talents into profits online. She is also the author of the eBook, 31 Days to Start an Online Business. Sunu offers subscribers a free ebook titled, The Definitive Guide to Becoming a Work at Home Mom to help them get started on their WAHM journey. You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest.
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