Every mother will suffer from the dreaded cringe-worthy ‘mum guilt’ at some point in their lives, as will fathers, making parental guilt something we all seem to wrestle with.
Guilt, we all get it, it’s inevitable, part and parcel of being a parent but it doesn’t need to eat you up, consume you whole and make you feel totally BAD rather BAD-ASS.
I’ve written about being a mother-hustler and a bit part of that means being kind to myself.
Cutting me some slack.
Following my dreams and doing what I love so I feel happy.
Once we as parents are content, our kids are too.
How can we be strong for everyone else if we feel torn, unhappy, unfulfilled and at worst resentful.
Can we all make a concerted effort to make this stop or at least to accept it’s normal and not let it stop us. We all suffer from it. I know I do – but I just don’t let it affect my decisions and override what makes me happy.
Happy parent equals a happy family.
This is something I cover in more details in my recent article for Marie Claire, as part of #BreakFree – their new campaign which tackles the big issues affecting and holding back women, such as ageism, body image pressures and violence.
My piece is about acceptance-acknowledging that no one will ever achieve the perfect work/life balance, that being human makes us flawed, but that motherhood doesn’t have to mean giving up your own dreams.
We are doing our best.
The sooner we all accept this, the quicker we can stop beating ourselves up about our choices.
Guilt is futile.
You can read the full article article HERE – and my great friend Helen of Mummy Mode has also blogged about releasing the grip of parenting guilt HERE, don’t miss our posts.
I’d love to read your feedback in the comments.
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LOVE this so much!! I’ve been a SAHM, a WAHM and a working mum. I went back to work 4 full days a week when my eldest was 3 months old and I was still breastfeeding full-time (that’s some serious expressing folks!). All this has allowed me to see that what works best for my kids is what makes me happy, not what society dictates. Once I realised this I was able to ignore any mummy guilt that might be pushed on me by others, and I enjoy my life and my kids thanks to this. Let’s build each other and our choices up, not knock each other down! Hell, parenting is hard enough as it is, so let’s support each other!! xx
So true darling, you are an inspiration and I totally agree that we must support one another’s choices. Guilt is futile as is worrying what others’ think. Thank you xx
Off to read now lovely, and well done for being featured in Marie Claire xxx
Just read your full post and really appreciated it! I have a tendency to over think and put myself down, especially since I’ve become a mum. Will refer to this post when I’m feeling that way in the future!