Oh yes, that strikes a chord: "How could I not want to [sing to, read to, play with, etc] this fantastic kid? Other parents aren't like this. What's wrong with me?!" (Completely ignoring the thousand times you read to them when you were exhausted, sick, basically a zombie.)

For me, the next thought goes something like "that's ridiculous. Every parent feels this way sometimes. The only difference is how often. Stop beating yourself up, move on already." After a minute of trying (and failing) to slap some sense into myself, the Voice Of Reason gets exasperated: "Oh for crying out loud. You *know* what's going on and still can't stop it. How weak, pathetic, etc." Lather, rinse, repeat.

And I'm a dad. From what I've read moms tend to be much harder on themselves. It certainly was true of my wife. I often had to work late. I'd roll in at 8:00 or 9:00p to find her on the verge of exploding. I'd say things like "aw hon, you're beating yourself up for not being perfect, you're way more patient than I am," etc. She must've felt the urge to blurt out "thanks, Captain Obvious!" but she never did.

Sorry for babbling. Here's the bottom line in my opinion: