I'm not saying its an excuse to not take care of your baby. Sometimes taking care of yourself is the best way of taking care of your baby. And if that means once a week you leave your child with a babysitter, grandparent or whoever to go to movie on your own to feel recharged then I don't see why that isn't taking care of your baby to the best of your ability.

Its not fair or accurate to say that a woman who craves back the life they used to have is being selfish. I crave my old life. I want to have time for myself. I want to be valued for my intellect rather than my just ability to nurture my children and make a great casserole. I want to wear nice clothes without having them covered in vomit. That doesn't make me selfish. That makes me a mature, intelligent woman who for nearly 38 years had a fulfilled, challenging and independent life. It is a huge adjustment to change that life for one of a SAHM. Not for a second would I give up the beautiful children I have now, and I will not return to work even though I want to for me because I believe it is the right thing for my children to have me home. But that doesn't mean I'm not allowed to miss it, crave it or whatever you want to call it and it sure doesn't mean that when I use the "happy mum = happy baby" phrase for myself I am being selfish. Maybe its what I need to justify time away from my children so that I feel ok about it.