
Parenting Guilt: The Parent Trap
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Time to Read: 2 min
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Time to Read: 2 min
Parenting is hard. Whether you're dealing with societal judgments, internalized expectations, or getting trapped in the fantasy of social media parenting perfection, 'Parent Guilt' is an emotion we can all relate to.
More often than not, it’s the mom who goes through bouts of guilt and self-doubt. Society often paints a picture of the devoted, self-sacrificing mother who puts everyone’s needs above her own. This portrayal ignores the complexity and diversity of real women's lives and can contribute to feelings of guilt when a new mother needs time to focus on herself, and her needs, or get back to work.
While the term "mom guilt" is primarily associated with mothers, it's important to note that fathers and other caregivers can also experience similar feelings of guilt and self-doubt in their roles as parents. It is not easy being strict towards your children even if to teach them valuable life lessons. The term "dad guilt" or "parent guilt" is sometimes used to acknowledge this.
So, how do you deal with this? (Because there is no way you are not going to get caught in the mom guilt trap.) Here's my 6-point plan to deal with it:
Self-Care: Remember that taking care of yourself is essential for being the best parent you can be. Taking breaks and practicing self-compassion are important.
Ultimately, parenting is a shared responsibility, and both mothers and fathers can experience feelings of guilt and self-doubt. It's important for all parents to recognize these feelings as normal, seek support when needed, and prioritize self-care to maintain their emotional well-being while raising their children.