Mom Your Way: The Sixth Trimester - Mom Guilt

“At this phase, you and your baby know each other so well that the awareness of not being there is bigger for everyone."​

Boom! It’s back. That lovely feeling of guilt, for hiking alone, for going to work, for doing something that you have to or want to do. And it sucks. It’s hard to remember that taking care of yourself is actually (1) making you a better mom and partner and (2) giving a gift to your child. You’ll enable your child to learn to trust you, showing that you do come back after time spent away. Remember: modeling independence is valuable.

For many of my friends and me, the guilt was different in the sixth trimester because we could actually do more and be away for longer. Was it more guilt? Maybe it just felt different. At this phase, you and your baby know each other so well that the awareness of not being there is bigger for everyone.

But I knew I craved a break—time away to chill out, have fun, and sleep—and so I planned a night away. I had weaned Julian off breastfeeding around month six, and so now that he was around eight months, I felt I could do it more easily. The first few hours were so relaxing, and then after that, it was a weird combination of missing my little Julian like crazy and being so content not being needed all the time. And of course, I didn’t friggin’ sleep well at all. I had high expectations, not realizing my brain and body were not going to let that happen after months of interrupted sleep.

So, take the breaks. Know you will feel some guilt, but more importantly, you will be gifting yourself and your baby some independence.

Visit MommysBliss360 often for more pearls, laughs and commiseration from Yasmin. And if you love to hold a book in your hand, “Mom Your Way” is available right here on mommysbliss.com. Make room on your bookshelf and reach for it whenever you find yourself wondering if you’re doing it right – spoiler alert - you are.