The other day I was rushing out the door to take my son to school. Like so many mornings, the frustration was in my voice as I asked him for the hundredth time to get his shoes and coat on. I was grabbing his knapsack, my purse, the cell phone with the charger still dangling from it and two slices of toast wrapped in a paper towel to eat in the car; it was noon and still had not put anything in my stomach.

As I stepped into my shoes, and grabbed my coat, my one year old daughter began crawling towards me. She was making that whimpering noise she does when she wants me to pick her up. Desperately trying to get out the door before she got to me, I bumped into my son, spilling the bowl of apple slices he was bringing for his snack. I let a mild curse escape my lips as I gathered half of the apple pieces and kicked the rest out onto the front porch.

By now my daughter had reached me and I had to pick her up because her whine was escalating, turning into a demanding plea. My son, flustered over his lost snack walked disappointedly to the van. I fumbled with my packages, passing my daughter over to the nanny for a quick escape. Instantly she began crying, lurching away from the nanny, trying to make it back in my arms. I blew her kisses and said reassuring words as she screamed and cried to me closing the door and walking away.

Once in the van, I could hardly hold back my own tears. It seemed so unfair to have to leave her when she obviously needed me. Normally she has no problem when I have to go out, but on a day like today where she was wanting my comfort, I left her to someone else.

A few blocks away my son told me he was hungry. I got to school only to realize I had forgotten parent teacher interviews the night before. On my way home, I couldn’t buy milk as I had my purse, but my wallet was in the diaper bag at home.

It is days like this where I go to bed asking for some guidance, strength and forgiveness for the mediocre job I sometimes feel I am doing as a mother. Although others would say this is normal, no big deal or your kids will live through it. I have to admit I am often struck with a bit of mommy guilt.

Luckily I have found a book written by three fabulous women that addresses this very issue. Mommy Guilt is one of those books that are truly practical, informative, easy to read and enjoyable. From the first few pages, I was hooked. I could relate to the references and actually identify with the suggestions and solutions.

Mommy Guilt rule #6: “laugh a lot with your children“, sounds so easy, but so true. Instead of being angry I spilled the apples, I could have laughed and found an opportunity to show my son it’s okay to make mistakes and since nothing bad became of it, why not laugh it off.

When my daughter shows she really needs me. Mommy Guilt rule #7:”set aside time as a family will help circumvent those times when kids feel like they just have to have your attention.” Doing activities together and spending a bit of quality time will help them feel as though they got their fill and alleviate the need to cling and be noticed.

Overall the book is filled with powerful suggestions and helpful advice on everything from guilt-free yelling to creating your own, guilt-free personal time. I am not sure the book will help with being late for school, hockey or gymnastics. Nor will it eliminate the hectic, chaotic world of a mother with small kids. But it will help me sleep at night knowing I did my best, and that just loving them is all they really need.

I am just starting Chapter 18: Guilt free pleasure time with your spouse. *Smiling*

Graciously, the authors of Mommy Guilt have put a copy inside our Colossal gift basket for you to win. Click here for details.

Standing on my soapbox,

JB