Does this make me a lazy/bad mom?

[graacceey]

I have a 16 month old son. I work overnights because it works for my mom who keeps him while I work at night. He goes to daycare during the day. I have weekends off which at first I thought would be great thing. I figured I would spend more time with my son with me having Saturday and Sunday off. You know, go for walks to the park and just take strolls and get him outside but when I get off Saturday morning, although I’m off that Saturday night, I still am too tired to do anything. When I get home Saturday morning, my son is wide awake and with him being in his curious toddler stage he only takes one short nap a day and that’s the most sleep I get after working all night. So, I spend my Saturday with him in the house. I play with him, I read to him, I sing with him nursery rhymes etc and I always plan to take him out on nice days but my body has is always too tired to live up to it. I’m working on getting my shift changed and still having weekends off to actually go out and have fun mom and son time with my him. Right now, it’s not working out that way.

[Mr_twoface]

You are not a lazy or bad mom. Balancing overnight work and caring for a toddler is incredibly challenging, especially if you are a single parent and it’s understandable to feel tired. The fact that you engage with your son by playing, reading, and singing shows your dedication and love. Prioritize self-care to ensure you have the energy to care for him.

Maybe, a proactive step, would be for you to seek to have a shift change once a week. Ideally Friday’s so you can have good night’s rest for the weekends. Alternatively, you can ask your mother to take him for two hours every other Saturday or Sunday morning so you can take a quick yet energised nap, so you can do the outdoor activities you want to with your toddler. Remember, quality time is what matters most, and you are providing that even if it’s not always outside or adventurous.

Give yourself grace and acknowledge your efforts!

[jahaims]

A kid is always going to miss out if you are a single parent.

[midnightmoon05]

Welcome to motherhood. No matter what you do… it will always feel hard and tired even for myself when I was a stay at home mom.
you have to try your best to take care of yourself so that you can take care of your son.
your son will understand the hard work you put in to raise him properly and give him the love/guidance he needs.
be strong and don’t feel guilty about needing to rest. Nap with him and play with him, teach him to clean up, help you. Set up rules. Etc…

[PeachyPie93]

It seriously doesn't matter since he is too young to even remember this time and you are trying your best rn. As long as you are still spending the time you can with him I honestly don't think it matters.

[Anonymous]

Do you feel like a bad mom?

[graacceey]

No. Considering I never planned to have my son but I accepted my pregnancy and chose to be a mom and accept responsibility of raising him. My instincts to care, love and provide for him kicked in the moment I held him. As corny as that may sound but that’s real. I think I may just focus too much on being the perfect mom when I know realistically, I can’t be because I am only human.