15 Times Working Dads Feel No Shame (so Working Moms Shouldnt Either)

15 Times Working Dads Feel No Shame (so Working Moms Shouldnt Either) Theres no doubt that being a working mom nowadays is thoroughly exhausting. Its also deeply rewarding, but did we mention its exhausting? From the morning rush to the bedtime scramble, every moment feels like were barely treading water, trying to do the best for our kids and our career. Then, of course, we feel guilty about the compromises we strike just to make it all work. And then we feel guilty for feeling guilty. Why are we giving ourselves such a hard time?Good question. You know who doesnt spend the whole day feeling guilty about taking a shortcut or two when necessary? Working dads. Without the societal pressure to be perfect parents, it simply doesnt faze themor even occur to them to worrywhen they arent on their A game. Thats not a criticism, by the way. Working dads are great dads, and theres no proof that intensive parenting is good for kids anyway. Maybe we working moms should take a page from working dads, and give ourselves a break from time to time. Here are some of the times your working dad partner probably doesnt stressand neither should you.1. Sending the kids to daycare when he has the day off from work.Was it ever really a question? Hell be catching up on yard work and hitting the gymas he should.2. Feeding the kids pancakes and ice cream for dinner.Its calories. They kids are still alive. All is well. (And its more fun anyways.)3. Dressing the kids for daycare like a tornado that whipped through a secondhand store.Stains? Check. Tears? Check. Clashing colors? Check. Hey, at least all the pertinent parts are covered.4. The state of the house when guests come over.If the guests dont like it, they can put on gloves and get to scrubbing.5. Letting the kids veg out in front of the TV or iPad.Hey, its educational. Sometimes.6. Skipping the class field trip.Hell just catch the next oneif he can.7. Skipping a bath or two.Germs build immunity, right?8. Skipping a soccer practice or two.Hell be there for the big game, but every single scrimmage? Pass.9. Giving simple gift cards to friends, family and your kids teacher.He wont be cruising Pinterest at midnight to come up with the perfect handmade creation, or turning pipe cleaners into wreaths. Because why should he? Better question Why should anyone?10. His dad bod.And he wasnt even the one who carried a kid for 9 months.11. Donating cash to the school fundraiser instead of harassing his colleagues to buy 20 sets of sheets.Or chocolate bars. Or coupon books. Or baked goods. Or books. Or popcorn tins.12. Going out with the guys.He needs that time. Youre entitled to your own.13. Tucking leftovers in the kids lunch box until theyre eaten or green.Because no one has time to cut sandwiches into heart shapes.14. Not checking the daycare app. Ever.He (rightly) assumes theyre feeding your child.15. Ignoring the laundry every now and then in favor of playing video games.If youre not a gamer, substitute playing vide o games with watching Sex and the City reruns, and enjoy.--Audrey Goodson Kingo and Meredith BodgasThis story originally appeared inWorking Mother.