5 ways to rid yourself of Mommy guilt.

Posted on 08. Apr, 2009 by TheCuteKid Photo Contest in Parenting

Letting Go of Mommy Guilt

5 ways to stay guilt-free…

What’s the one thing all mothers have in common? Guilt by association. And that’s no joke. Have you ever met a mom who doesn’t feel guilty about something she’s not doing for–or something she is doing to–her kids? While guilt may seem like it’s part of a mom’s DNA, it doesn’t have to be that way. Starting today, mothers can let the guilt go over the following 5 things…with no need to apologize.

1. I love me some me time. If moms aren’t convinced that they need to take time for themselves and take care of themselves, then they need to remember what our flight attendants have been telling us for years. You must put your own oxygen mask on first before you can attempt to help others…meaning if you don’t take care of yourself, you’re of no use to anyone else. Making me time isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.
2. It is because I say it is. At some point along the way, mothers have made the mistake of thinking they have to have a reason for every answer they give and every decision they make. Au contraire! Because I said so, we’ll get there when we get there, and other unjustified retorts from mothers are completely acceptable answers. Why? Because they’re the moms-that’s why.
3. Organic-smorganic…processed is perfectly fine by me. While it seems like everybody who’s anybody is eating organic foods, somebody is here to tell you that’s not the case. And moms certainly shouldn’t feel like everything that goes into their kids’ mouths must be organic, all-natural, unprocessed, or whole grain. Many moms find that buying organic everything takes up too much energy to find it, money to buy it, and time to prepare it. Good nutrition for kids simply means eating a balanced diet of healthy foods most of the time. And the rest of the time I say, “Let them eat cake!”
4. It’s my way or the highway. As long as you live under my roof, you’ll live by my rules. Moms should say this and mean this without feeling bad in the slightest. Although many kids think their parents know absolutely nothing about anything, moms know different. Rules weren’t made by mothers and fathers to be broken; usually they were made to keep kids safe and sound on their way to becoming responsible, respectful, contributing members of society.
5. I’m a (fill in the blank) mother. I’m a working mother. I’m a stay-at-home mom. I breast feed. I use formula. I use cloth diapers. I buy disposable diapers. I swaddle my baby. I swing my baby. I let my baby cry it out. I rock my baby to sleep. Whenever mother’s do what’s best for their baby-not their sister’s baby or their best friend’s baby or their next door neighbor’s baby or their boss’s daughter’s baby-their baby will be just fine. No need for excuses. No need to compare. No need to explain.

A quick news flash for anyone who’s unclear: mothers aren’t perfect. They make mistakes. They don’t always make the right choices. But moms do their best to make their choices right. There is no room-and certainly no need-for guilt in the lives of mothers. They’re too busy raising happy and healthy human beings. For once and for all, moms need to plead not guilty.

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Tags: mom tips, mommy advice, Parenting, parnter-center