6 Effective Ways to Overcome Mom Guilt
To help mothers overcome the feeling of guilt, we reached out to founders, marketing managers, and community experts for their best advice. From balancing quality time and self-care to avoiding social media comparisons, here are the top six tips these professionals shared on how to reduce mom guilt.
- Balance Quality Time and Self-Care
- Understand Guilt Sources and Set Boundaries
- Give Yourself Grace and Seek Support
- Prioritize Self-Care and Avoid Perfectionism
- Embrace Transparency and Imperfections
- Avoid Social Media Comparisons
Balance Quality Time and Self-Care
One of the best ways to reduce mom guilt is to prioritize both quality time with your children and investing in your own self-care. As moms, we often give so much to our families that we forget to take care of ourselves.
It’s important to remember that in order to provide for our loved ones, we also need to take care of our own well-being. Set aside dedicated time to be present with your children, engaging in activities that create meaningful connections and memories.
At the same time, don’t neglect your own needs and self-care routines. Taking time for yourself allows you to recharge, maintain a positive mindset, and be the best version of yourself for your family.
Diane Howard
Founder, Esthetic Finesse
Understand Guilt Sources and Set Boundaries
Mom guilt can come from any number of sources, and naturally one of those is our internal voice. But whenever considering ‘mom guilt’ it’s important to understand why it’s being generated—is it because you’ve returned to work? Because you’re going away for the weekend? Because you don’t feel like attending baby sensory this week?
Putting boundaries in place to protect your own mental health and feeling of being “you” again can only be a positive. Not only will it help you to feel more empowered and able to tackle your parenting journey, say by being more rested or by feeling energized through your working life, but it also helps to expose your baby to new people and locations (thanks to childcare or family support) and help them develop their own sense of independence.
Jessica Higham
Marketing Manager, Onoco
Give Yourself Grace and Seek Support
As a mother and busy travel blogger, I understand the constant battle of mom guilt. It’s a feeling that creeps up on you when you least expect it, leaving you questioning every decision you’ve made. My best advice? Take a step back and give yourself some grace.
It’s okay to prioritize yourself and take some much-needed alone time. Remember that you’re not perfect and neither is parenthood. Allow yourself to make mistakes and learn from them. Lastly, surround yourself with a supportive community that will remind you that you’re doing an amazing job. It’s time to let go of the guilt and embrace the joys of motherhood.
Jo Larsen
Travel Blogger, Best Family Beach Vacations
Prioritize Self-Care and Avoid Perfectionism
Mom guilt is a common feeling among mothers, but it’s essential to remember that self-care is not selfish. Prioritizing self-care is an effective way to overcome guilt and be a more confident and positive mother.
Make some time for yourself every day and engage in activities that make you happy or relaxed. It can be something as simple as reading a book, taking a long bath, or going for a walk. Be kind to yourself and remember that being a mom is hard work, and taking care of yourself is essential to take care of your family.
It is essential to avoid perfectionism and set realistic goals for yourself because happiness comes from within, and your mental well-being is as important as your physical health.
Basana Saha
Founder, KidsCareIdeas
Embrace Transparency and Imperfections
Being transparent with yourself and your child(ren) is the best advice I can give to reduce mom guilt. Oftentimes as parents, we try so hard to make it seem like we are not flawed, but we are. We have to give ourselves some grace and recognize we make mistakes, don’t always handle situations appropriately, and can be wrong in our opinion.
Parenting doesn’t come with instructions and even some of us are still dealing with our own parental upbringing issues. As a parent myself, I have shared with my daughter my mistakes, bad decisions, dumb behaviors, and struggles, and it has helped cultivate a bond with her that is strong and beautiful.
It has helped her understand me and be comfortable talking to me about anything. Have I had guilt? Of course and many times, but when I look at my daughter and see how my transparency has helped our relationship, I wouldn’t change a thing. At the end of the day, none of us is perfect and there is always a new day to try again.
Natasha White
Self Care Wellness Facilitator, New You Wellness
Avoid Social Media Comparisons
The pressure of being a perfect mother is enormous and harmful. But to eliminate the feeling of guilt that it often provokes, it is worth looking at the core reason behind it.
Social media overuse can be one of the reasons for that. Comparing oneself to other women who seemingly deal with motherhood flawlessly is pointless and can bring nothing but a feeling of inferiority. So cutting down on it can be the solution.
Be selective and attentive when choosing the accounts to follow. Do not burden yourself with extra weight in this vulnerable state. Postpartum depression is a common peril, and the stakes are too high to ignore its first symptoms.
Scrolling through various profiles of people with seemingly perfect lives can harm anybody’s mental health. Yet mothers, due to the stress and judgment they experience, are especially susceptible to that.
Martyna Szczesniak
Community Expert, MyPerfectResume
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