Wow, what an awful guilt trip. I'm so sorry you had to go through that. It's so unfair. I would be so destroyed if someone said that to me.

He's wrong. Your main job in life is to reach your own potential. It's not to make life convenient for other people.

You made the right choice at the time, and I think you made the right choice in hindsight, too. Your son's life is worth more than a good review. Being a good mom is more important than being the perfect worker who never "lets anyone down." Taking care of your own needs is a worthwhile goal.

Your boss sounds very controlling. He uses nasty tricks to make others do what he wants. He is using guilt to target your self esteem. But your feelings about who you are don't depend on his assessments.

He is a bad boss. He motivates poorly. He berates his workers for personal issues that have nothing to do with their work performance. He is bad for morale.

If I were in your position, I would take it personally and feel very hurt. But I really, really hope you are able to shrug his attacks off somewhat. It's just so unfair for him to target you like that.

You can't control the situation you are in. You have made good choices when dealt a bad hand. I can tell that you really care about your work performance and that you do a good job. I hope the company wises up and cans him, or the economy improves so that you can find something better. Wishing you strength this week.