Every now and then, a mom lingers at drop-off a little longer. Not because she doesn’t trust us—she does. But because somewhere deep down, a quiet voice is whispering, “You should be doing it all.”
We see it often. We feel it too. That familiar tug of “mom guilt” that tells mothers they’re somehow falling short if they aren’t with their children every moment of the day.
But here’s the truth: the idea that mothers have always stayed home is more myth than fact.
From the dawn of time, women have worked—on farms, in markets, and alongside their families and communities. Even in generations past, women found ways to contribute outside the home: sewing, cleaning, nursing, harvesting, and raising not just their own children, but often the neighbor’s too. What’s changed isn’t a mother’s role—it’s the shape of our communities.
There was a time when children played freely in neighborhood packs, older siblings looked out for younger ones at the park, and families gathered regularly in each other’s homes or yards. Today, those opportunities are rare. Many families live far from extended relatives. Neighborhoods are quieter. Safety concerns are higher. And screens, work schedules, and distance have replaced the natural rhythms of village life.
But if you think your child doesn’t feel your presence when you’re away—you’d be mistaken.
We hear it every day. When a child opens their lunch and proudly says, “My mommy made this.” When they sit in small circles, talking about their families—mimicking the voices, the routines, the love they see at home. When one child is sad and another pipes up, “Your mommy always comes back after work.” These moments are the invisible threads that keep families connected, no matter the physical distance.
You haven’t disappeared from your child’s world. You’re everywhere in it.
What we have now—things like electricity, grocery stores, laundry machines, and licensed early learning programs—isn’t a replacement for good parenting. It’s the continuation of it. You’re still doing what women have always done: making thoughtful choices for your children’s wellbeing, even when those choices feel heavy.
At Discovery & Adventure Zone Inc., we don’t just care for children—we partner with families. We celebrate each child’s growth, and we know their joy at the end of the day isn’t a rejection of you—it’s proof of a secure, loving connection. They miss you because they love you. And they flourish here because you’ve created a life where they can.
So if you're struggling with guilt for not “doing it all,” remember this: no one ever did it all alone. Not then, not now. You’re doing it with love, with courage, and with a community beside you.
And that is more than enough.
Rosetta
