Mom guilt
Mom guilt
If there was one thing that I wish I would have known before having kids, it is how powerful mom guilt can be. I had occasionally heard the term before having kids but never realized that it would become such a presence in my life. Working moms, stay-at-homes, we all feel it.
As moms, we try to do everything that we can for our kids. We do the best we can and even knowing that, we’re somehow still left feeling guilty at the end of the day. We feel guilty for what we do, what we don’t do, what we feed our kids, what we don’t feed them, and the list seems endless.
As a self-employed working mom, I feel guilty when I’m at work and away from my family, and I feel guilty on the days I’m home, guilty that I’m not working, not working harder on my business, and not doing more for my job. We working moms are working for our families and need to be reminded of that sometimes. By working we are showing them that women can have successful careers and that both parents can contribute to the family in and out of the house.
Mom guilt has an ability to take over our rational thoughts sometimes and we are somehow left feeling that even our best isn’t good enough, which is so far from the truth!
So what can you do about it?
- You can ignore it.
- You can embrace.
- You can kick its ass!
Let it know that you’re the boss and you’re not going to let it invade your life anymore. A mix of ignoring it and embracing it can help you really kick its ass. Don’t let it get the best of you.
Ignore it. When that little voice in your head telling you that you should be doing more or doing better starts creeping in, just ignore it. Don’t give it another thought, and push it out of your mind reminding yourself that your best IS good enough and you do not need to feel guilty for your parenting.
Embrace it. Let it be the kind reminder to hug your kids a little longer, take the extra minutes to let them put their shoes on themselves, or plan an activity that you’ll both enjoy and actually take the time to do it. Remember that if you’re feeling bad about anything, it’s because you’re a good mom wanting more for your kids.
Kick its ass. Don’t let it invade your thoughts. Don’t let that little voice in your head make you feel that you’re doing any less than your very best. Enjoy the reminder that it provides to do more when you can and not feel guilty when you can’t. Remember that you’re doing your best which means that there is absolutely NOTHING to feel guilty about. Everything we do is for our kids and as long as we show up for our kids every day, nothing else matters. Your kids know they are loved and that is what is important.
Leave that mom guilt behind and don’t look back.