Thursday, February 19, 2009

Question

If Ruby is awake and content to lay in her crib or on a blanket on the floor or swinging in her swing - should I feel guilty for leaving her (with the monitor on) and vacuuming, or cleaning the kitchen or preparing dinner or, say... reading blogs and drinking a cup of tea? Should I feel guilty for not spending that time with her and interacting with her?

Should I wait until she is napping to go about my business?

9 comments:

Emily said...

I don't say this from experience.... but being a Mom is a full time job, so the only break you get is showering, vacuming, cooking, checking blogs. You spend so much time with her, life can't stop for Mommy completly! I say drag her swing so you can see it from the kitchen. Or bring her bouncy chair (or whatever) into the computer room with you. As long as you can see her I don't think you should worry!

nancy said...

No. In fact, it's GOOD for her to ~not~ interact with her all the time. She needs to learn to self soothe. It will benefit the both of you.

The_EmilyB said...

I agree with Nancy. You need some you time so you can enjoy your time with her! Don't feel guilty!

Anonymous said...

I don't think you should feel guilty about that, no. The maintenance of your home and your personal sanity are as valuable to your daughter as your interactions with her. And I cannot imagine that she needs you to interact with her constantly. She's at an age where she's still learning, little by little, about her environment by interacting with it on her own. Her interacting might not be the sort of interacting that you and I do when we're exploring and learning about our surroundings, but it's just as important. And sometimes she needs to do that without simultaneously interacting with you.

Of course, I could be wrong, as I'm still waiting to have my baby lol. But I don't think you should feel guilty, all the same.

Mommy Shoes said...

I agree that you shouldn't feel guilty, but I do too, so I'm not much help.

Anonymous said...

I will put the little man in the snuggly sometimes while I do housework, but I think that even babies need their space too! Depends on his mood I guess, but if they are content-- leave them be!

HereWeGoAJen said...

Oh, heavens no. It's good for her to chill by herself. Elizabeth is kicking away in her crib by herself right now. (She thinks her fish that fly in circles over her head are just SO pretty.)

Somewhat Ordinary said...

You can't help when or if you feel guilt, but I think all mommies need time to themselves even if it is just to clean up the house a little!

Femme au Foyer said...

Just the fact that you care enough to feel guilty proves that you shouldn't feel guilty.