30th May
2008
After talking with Tracey (the RN) today, I have come down with a case of the guilts. Told my sister and brother about her call & they were both excited for me – why am I shrinking and feeling like I am being – what, I don’t know, guilty?
Today, about 6pm, we decided to shop WalMa*t – a 30-45 minute journey. I opened the garage door and he looked over at me and said, “Burn rubber” and smiled. I felt so guilty to be “scheming” to leave him for 4 hr/wk.
How do I tell him?
Jean, no guilt! The first rule of caregivers is that you MUST care for yourself, or all will truly be lost. Four hours a week is nothing–I think I can even hold my breath that long.
:)
Please, please, please don’t feel guilty. Enjoy this little scrap of time with a happy heart. You deserve it and you need it.
Love, Laura
You tell him and do it, and don’t feel guilty.
I think you will feel refreshed, and that is a good thing for both of you. Since he sleeps so much, maybe he will not even realize you are gone for much of the time you are away.
First things first.
NO GUILT
Repeat again.
NO GUILT
Now go out there and enjoy your four hours a week.
Just say–”I need this.”
Thanks, Ladies. I guess I just don’t want to upset him, although, it will probably be like children, once I’m out the door, he’ll be all happy.
I wholeheartedly agree with all the above comments. If you do not take sometime to fill yourself up, your soul will become empty. You have to take care of yourself first, or you will not be able to care for him, think about how if an airplane goes down, you are told to put on your oxygen mask on first, before you put your child’s on…
Jean, don’t ever feel guilty! He may not even remember that you were gone. If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you continue to care for him?