Feeling Guilty about $$$$$$$

[peggyfromwastate]

J is going to preschool this year. She loves it! It's only 2.5 hours a day, which gives me barely time to do anything really. I go to the gym one day for an hour and some quick errands afterwards (in all my sweaty glory lol but I'm not wasting preK time on a shower!) and then I will help with DS's 2nd grade class for the other day for about 1.5 hours, quick errands, then pick up. I already told DS's teacher that I'll only do it every other week, so that means I have 1 week to get crap done here in the house. I'm trying to get ready for the Big Move and with a preschooler underfoot almost all the time... it's slow going. I have to get the house thinned and sorted and presentable by March or so-- that's when we think we'll put it on the market.

So...

I signed her up for an add-on at the preK which costs $80 a month and stretches her day to 4 hours grand total. I should be able to get some work done on the house 2 days/week now... But I'm feeling guilty. Why can't I just get this **** done? She doesn't really nap-- I force her to take a 1 hour "rest time", but other than that... And as soon as the kids are home from school we are busy until about 9:30 getting kids to bed.

Is this OK? I'm justifying it by saying that Dh just called Comcast and got our monthly bill reduced by 70$ (yay Dh)... so it won't hurt the Bottom Line too much financially. I just feel kind of pathetic to not be able to get this crap done when the kiddo is with me...

[corn poffi]

If she loves it, don't feel guilty! You're making her happy and yourself happy, nothing wrong with that!

[v-girl]

If she loves it then it is totally worth it!

[diggitydot]

Look at it this way: it's good for her education and socialization. If it also happens to give you a couple extra hours to do shit, win/win.

[ladymoreta]

I think it sounds fantastic! I only have one kid who does nap, and my house is still a disaster. Please don't feel guilty for adding on some extra time. (I know, easier said than done...) Also, don't spend all of it working. Take a little time here or there to relax! You definitely earn it!

[Michele]

I am now a convert! I can't do anything with kids around. You've seen all my old posts about feeling guilty about the kids being in various childcares. I now realize how wonderfully freeing it is to be away from them part of the day. I still have P with me, but I'm going to sign up for the Y and use their gym childcare so I can work out. Thankfully around the house stuff I can do with P on my back, but add K to the mix? I only get stuff done during his nap. If he didn't nap so well, he'd be in preschool 5 d a week.

Are you kidding? Totally awesome. Peggy - your posts exhaust me just READING them. I get overwhelmed shuttling my boys around to after school stuff, and I'm very, very stingy on what we'll commit to. Do it and do not feel a TEENY TINY BIT OF GUILT.

[SuzySunshine]

You have to take care of YOU and that means time without children - don't feel guilty at all.

[Auspicious]

This isn't even Peggy-time, its house- prep-time. Not an indulgence, no guilt. I'd *totally* do it and not look back.

[Phoebe]

Completely necessary for everyone involved. My kids all went to a MDO since they were two. Then preschool at three years old. they loved it and so do I.

[MrsK]

BTDT. I feel guilt for spending $ on sitters or PT day care (2 days weekly). I feel guilty if I spend $ entertaining the kids when they are home ($3 happy meal). I even feel guilty for paying for and going to CLE seminars. Moms, especially those with little ones, are expected to do way too much with way too little. Don't beat yourself up.

[peggyfromwastate]

Thanks everyone--- but I just can't pull the trigger on this. It's 800$ for the year... And I have to pack her a lunch etc etc. It would give me more time to work but I think the extra 3 hours if work time a week isn't probably worth it...

If she were a little older... But I put her in childcare almost every day now- just not Monday's. I feel like she might get burned out.

Idk.... I'm just a little overwhelmed right now! It will get better.

[Pollyanna]

Peggy, I completely understand. I am having a really hard time getting things packed up with little E around. I'm lucky if I can manage one box or drawer a day. I've considered doing a toddler program but decided against it because in my experience toddler program = toddler germs which leads to more sick days for everyone. So I am going to just keep plugging along bit by bit. I know you also have the nonexistent weekends like us. When you are driving from game to game and class to class weekends are over before anything gets done. Our potential buyers are "being patient" and letting us get the house ready before they look (damn). Hang in there . I just ordered a whole bunch of boxes from Moving Day Boxes and am going to pack up 95% of my kitchen and all our fine china. We will be using paper products for the next 9 months but at least the kitchen and dining room will be packed up

[TigerLily]

I think that sounds great! Sounds like it will be great for both of you, no guilt in that!!

[ladymoreta]

Instead of spending the extra money on child care, could you hire someone to help you pack for less money? I'm not sure how much would be appropriate to offer, but maybe a high schooler could do books, linens, rarely used kitchen stuff, etc while you take care of your daily chores?