I just feel guilty about not being there for my children in the way they have come to expect.  I miss picking my daughter up after school and asking her how her day was and listening to her ramble on with the days events.  I miss by boys walking in the door and shouting, “Hey mom."  I am no longer at home to cook dinner and to sit down eat with them because I get home too late. It has become a world of cooking when I get home and them warming it up when they get hungry.  All of the things that I no longer get to do for them make me feel guilty when I do something for myself. 

For example, I went to a friend’s house for dinner tonight.  I was there maybe 45 minutes and yet, I felt so guilty for being gone.  I don’t feel like I deserve “me” time anymore.  I know it is crazy, but I also know that there are many of you out there that feel the same way. 

Logic tells me I can be a great “working” mom, once I find a balance of my time that keeps my children happy and yet let’s me have some quality time for myself.  Unfortunately my heart doesn’t want to listen to my logic. I am looking for advice from other working moms on how to find that balance that I know is out there. 

Anyone have any suggestions?