Guilty for even thinking this

Me too!

Yea. And i encourage u to try to find balance to pour into that area of your life even in small doses. Keep your skills current as much as possible.

Don't feel guilty, especially with all the pressure to succeed academically and with a career already so high on the societal priority ladder!

Your investment in your children is so huge. That you know and appreciate the sacrifice you're undertaking is good, but not necessarily enough to relieve those feelings. Comparison is the thief of joy!

Focus on your current mission and know work will be there. Find a way to speak to your experiences as a SAHM that play into your skills and strengths when you do return to the workforce.

I spent until my 30s working and finally took a break to be a SAHM to my now 2.5 year old. Work will be there. It's a temporary season of life so don't focus too hard on this as the finality of your future endeavors. So much could happen and you are NOT a failure for using the skills you've gained to invest in raising your child. I wish you the best and hope you can look forward to when things shift 🙏🏼

Yeah I kinda felt like that that’s why I got myself a hobby. I still have some on my bucket list. Find something you wanna join/learn/club on the side and go in your own time, mine all start at 7 so hubby is home and does bedtime. Was doing Pilates/Zumba for 2yrs and switched over to salsa/bachata lessons for 3yrs, this year I’m adding kizomba lessons. I still have heels class and pole fitness on my bucket list. Find something for YOU do in the week that you look forward to going, and is kinda a break from life. Brings dopamine into my life, gives me purpose/passion without the career aspect. If I get advanced I can slowly teach as well so I have that to look forward to. It’s funny that I say that coz every mum friend I know has her own hobby she attends. Susan goes poker Fridays and Grace does tai kwon do she brings her boy along. Hanh goes photography group every Sat. Susan’s come to my salsa once and I’ve gone to her poker twice for fun, it’s held at the casino lol

I had a career, a good job, and didn’t become a mum until later in life. I wish I’d started a family earlier instead of focusing on uni/work. I feel like I’ve kind of wasted part of my life too, but the opposite way

You are replaceable every place except for your home with your babies.
I know the feeling all too well I’m the first of my friends to get married or have children even though they are several years older than me and it’s like comparing apples to oranges. Children are only little and Need their mamas for so little time and then you can start your career. Comparison is the their of joy, you will miss so desperately your babies being young, and will be so grateful you got to spend the short few years watching them grow.

Thanks everyone! I’m working on ways to pour into this area of my life. I just rly wanted to know I wasn’t alone in this feeling, thank you to everyone for sharing their thoughts and journeys!❤️

Have a Biological Science degree! Wanted to travel the world and work in wildlife conservation/ecology. Got pregnant instead 😅 have been a stay at home mom for almost five years and have JUST started to find myself again by doing hobbies I used to love and turning it into a business. It’s super hard but I feel more fulfilled since I never got to use my degree and likely won’t unless someone wants to hire a 42yr old when I’m done homeschooling 🥴

I don't think a stay at home dad would feel guilty thinking thatn

The way I see it, I’ll have all my empty nester years to do stuff without my kids, but right now the most meaningful and worthwhile thing I could be doing is giving my babies a healthy foundation in life with lots of love and emotional support. They’re going to grow up so fast, and in this season of my life, this is the absolute most important work I could be doing. So no, I don’t feel guilty, I just feel sad for other parents who aren’t as privileged as I am to have this opportunity, even if I am a little wistful sometimes about the impossibility of doing everything I want to do Right Now since that’s just not humanly possible.