Put Down the Guilt

For me, Michael’s diagnosis came with a lot of guilt. I wondered what I might have done during my pregnancy or during his first months that may have caused his autism. I worried I wasn’t doing enough for him.  We started him in therapy and then I had guilt about whether I was striking the right balance for Michael and the rest of our family. He started school and I had concerns over his program. I dedicated so much time to raising my kids, I wasn’t a very involved aunt to my nieces and nephews, and I struggled to make time for friends. I was almost constantly vacillating between a state of worry and one of guilt.

So, on this Manic Monday, I want to share this post from The Power of Positivity.

We’re only adding to our mental load with worry and guilt.  If you get a break for a night out, taking the break with joy will do more for you (and your children) than wracking yourself with guilt over the fact that you are away from them. 

Worry

Worry is trickier. You’ll need to spend time weighing the best options for your child and your family. So, set aside some time to think things through (not right before bed). Make a list of pros and cons for whatever decision is coming up. Allow yourself to think it through without overwhelming emotions. You will decide, follow through, and then if it is not working out the way you had hoped, you’ll right the ship. You can try something different down the road.

You will make mistakes, but the good news is, no child has ever been raised by mistake-free parents. Kids are resilient.  Try your best and let go of the idea of perfection. Your load will be lighter, leaving you more energy for all the sh*t you need to do.