Mom guilt is a very common emotional experience that many mothers face. Those suffering from mom guilt often feel inadequate and unable to meet expectations in their role as a parent.
While mom guilt can make you feel hopeless, it's important to know that you're not alone. It's tough, but there are ways to make sure that nagging feeling goes away and you regain a sense of control.
To help you cope with mom guilt, here are some tips:
1. Acknowledge the Feeling
The first step to managing guilt is acknowledging the feeling. Validating mom guilt is the first step in managing it.
At the same time, try to identify what makes you feel guilty. Do you feel like you're not doing as much as other moms? Are your expectations realistic? Facing those feelings head-on will help you rationalize your emotions and gain control over it.
2. Be Kind to Yourself
When you've acknowledged the feeling, the next step is accepting that not everything can be perfect. Be kind to yourself and recognize that you are doing your best. Learn that not everyone was born knowing how to be the perfect mom and that we learn as we go.
3. Don't Compare Yourself
In the world we live in now, we have access to plenty of social media pages where influencer moms post their content. It can be easy to compare yourself to them when you watch their videos or view their photos. You may wonder how they keep their house so tidy or how they can look so put together despite having many kids.
While you can use their posts as inspiration, take care not to compare yourself to them. You're only likely seeing part of their parenting story. They surely struggle with other aspects of parenting, just like everyone else.
4. Don't Keep It Bottled Up
Learning how to manage your feelings by yourself is admirable. But it's never wrong to ask for a little help from your spouse, partner, or loved ones. Asking for help does not make you weak. Sharing your feelings with your loved ones allows them to better understand what you're going through and provide emotional support. This, in turn, can help alleviate some of the stress.
5. Seek Professional Help
When everything becomes too overwhelming, consider getting help from a professional. We recommend this if your feelings are significantly impacting your daily life or mood.
A professional can give you an unbiased viewpoint, which may help you gain clarity and a new perspective on your feelings. They can also help if the guilt is a symptom of a deeper emotional issue like anxiety or depression.
