This Feeling.

You're doing the best you can and that's all any of us can do. And remember ANY time is potential "good bonding" time! Just make it count (and don't be wallowing in guilt while you're trying to do it-lol).

Awe hunny don't beat yourself up. You are doing what you need to for your family and it (hopefully) won't be that way forever. Your little one knows your schedule as "his reality" so I guarantee it is harder on you than it is on him. At least he is home with daddy, I have friends who have to leave their little ones with a babysitter 9-10 hours a day. Enjoy your trip and make the most out of the time you do have :)

Well, kids love their dads and you are pretty much just fulfilling the traditional dad role while DH is fulfilling what is stereotypically the mom role. So your son has the same two parents as most families with a SAHM and traditional working dad. I see no reason you should feel guilty or your son should have any more/fewer problems than the average kid.

I have this friend at work. His mom raised him and his 4 other siblings alone after his dad passed away. He has told he stories about how he KNEW his mom loved him so much. She couldn't be around as much as other moms because she had to work. Whenever he talks about her, there is such warmth, such real love in his heart. I'll bet when you tell your son that you love him, he knows it is genuine. Give him those loving words. You have lots of years of bonding ahead of you. I know it is hard, but I hope this post encourages you.

You child doesn't know any different from his current situation. In his "world", this IS life.
I believe it is your feelings that you are projecting onto your child. It is so natural and normal for you as a mommy to want to be the one with your son everyday.
Hang in there. I hope your hubby finds a job soon (been there, done that). In the meantime, enjoy and cherish each moment with your son (and try not to feel guilty). :)
Just my two cents,
R.

Tough to look for work while watching a child. and its natural to feel guilty, thats your baby! I would spend some time alone with him, maybe on Sundays just you and him, no matter whats going on. And maybe you can set up a day off for you to spend time with and hubby can go out and actively look for a job?

You can only do what you can. Hang in there! I hope your husband finds work soon. Good luck!

My husband stayed home with our firstborn for the first year so that I could finish up school (a 40-hr a week stint for that year). I felt guilty at first and wished I could be there all the time. However, it ended up working out just fine - hubby and I agreed that he would make sure that dinner was cooked and the house was in order so that once I got home, it was baby & I for the rest of the day, & I always fed, bathed, read, played, & snuggled in the evenings. Of course, the weekends were mine. After I was finished with school, I took a 20-hr/week job and hubby went back to work full time, so it was 3 days in day care and 4 days with me. Baby is now 7 years old and has two younger siblings, with whom I was home for 2-3 months and then to the same arrangement (3days/4days). To me, quality is key, time-wise and caretaker-wise. Honestly, my kids are super-attached to me, including my oldest because I have always made sure to make my time with them count, while my hubby was more prone to "parallel play" (i.e., you watch this show while I work on my computer, kid!). Do the best you can and don't stress yourself out - also, I've had to learn to say "no" in order to regain my time - if you feel too busy, you probably are, and if you feel like you are skimping on your kid time, you probably are. The years go by fast, and you won't regret having turned down a few requests/invitations, etc..., I think! Good luck!

Oh, sweetie, it's OK! We all know you are doing the very best you can for your family and you're doing exactly what is needed at this time. YOU need to know that, too! Know that you are doing the right thing by your son and your husband. Motherhood is a lot about making sacrifices to make things better for our family -- and that's exactly what you're doing.

For what it's worth, I was the primary breadwinner for years and years when my kids were younger. And, to this day, I'm still the one my girls turn to. I think they'd tell you they turned out OK and they know I love them now and loved them then.

There are lots of ways mamas show they care -- and sometimes it's by leaving the house and going to work.

Hug to you. You're absolutely doing the right thing (doesn't mean you have to like it though!).

Don't feel too bad. Your baby knows you are momma and feels loved by you. What a blessing that your husband can stay home with him so you don't have to send him to daycare!! It's just like a "normal" mom at home household where kids still love their dad who is at work every day! Don't worry!

And I would suggest loving family time when you are home. By all means, give dad a break and take over baby duty if he needs it (I sure do by the time my hubby gets home at night!), but don't neglect family togetherness. That is where he will learn true security and feel most loved!

He knows you're his mommy, dont worry, you will be here for him year after year after year, can you read him a story and sing him a song every night before bed ? that would be great bonding time! Mine stayed home with Daddy I was just glad to have him with Daddy not a babysitter!