Today I feel guilty for all of these things.
I accepted help. I needed help, I was in a tough spot, and when it was offered to me, I accepted. I've been working on this ability over the past couple years, as I like to think that I don't need it, or that others shouldn't have to do things for me. I am now more comfortable with people helping me shovel, or lift things, or move stuff around, or answer questions. I call HealthLink when I'm worried about my child, I ask my mom when I just can't get it all done, and I even have people pick stuff up fo rme when I can't do it myself, but somehow needing help still makes me feel guilty...
Why do we feel guilty though? I remember hearing about how "in the old days" everyone helped everyone, and there are cultures now who still do. Everyone knows the families around them, and they trade babysitting, things from the garden, and even do chores together as most things are easier together then alone. I find doing things together can also make a chore a social gathering, which most of us could use more of anyway! Something in our society is putting enough pressure on us that many of the moms I know feel guilty for things that they shouldn't, we can't all do everthing all the time, and we shouldn't feel badly about it, it simply makes us human.
We should also not feel guilty for allowing our children to grow, or for feeling just a little sad that we are less needed then before. It is all a part of life.
One of the most common things I feel guilty for, and other mommies do to, is the elusive "mommy time". At some point we all need that time to take care of ourselves, it helps us recharge and allows us to be able to care for others. We all need quiet time, a hobby, or something we do just for ourselves. To lose ourselves while looking after everyone else simply loses us to everyone, and I believe our family and our friends deserve us to be the best person we can, and the happiest we can, so we can share that with those around us.
I wish you all good luck fighting your mommy guilt, and I hope you remember that no one can do everything, and occasionaly we all need a helping hand, and we all make mistakes.