We all know that feeling.
The one where we’re not sure if we’re doing enough, or if we’re screwing our kids up. It’s called parental guilt, and it can be all-consuming.
And it’s too common!
I have seen many parents doing their absolute best, but they still feel like they’re not good enough.
This isn’t okay. We need to learn how to deal with parental guilt because it’s not going away on its own.
If you are buried under parental guilt, here are some tips to help you deal with parental guilt.
1. Acknowledge your feelings
The first step to dealing with anything is acknowledging that it exists. So, the first step to dealing with parental guilt is admitting that you feel it.
This can be tough because we often feel like we need to be perfect. We need to be the perfect parent and admitting that we’re not can be really hard.
But it’s important to remember that no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes, and that’s okay.
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2. Figure out where the guilt is coming from
Once you’ve acknowledged your feelings, it’s time to figure out where they’re coming from.
There are a few common sources of parental guilt:
– Comparing yourself to other parents: This is probably the most common source of parental guilt. We see other parents who seem to have it all together, and we feel like we’re falling short.
– Not meeting your own expectations: We all have ideals of what we want to be as parents. And when we don’t meet those expectations, it can lead to feelings of guilt.
– Feeling like you’re not doing enough: This is common for working parents. We feel like we’re not spending enough time with our kids, and that can lead to guilt.
3. Talk to someone about it
Once you’ve figured out where the guilt is coming from, it’s time to talk to someone about it. This can be a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else with whom you feel comfortable talking.
It’s important to have someone to talk to because they can help you put things in perspective. They can help you see that you’re doing the best you can, and that’s all anyone can ask for.
4. Make a plan to change
If your parental guilt is coming from a place of not doing enough, then it’s time to make a plan to change that.
Sit down and figure out what you can realistically do to spend more time with your kids. It might mean making some changes to your work schedule, or hiring a babysitter so you can have some guilt-free time.
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5. Let it go
This is probably the most important step. Once you’ve figured out where the guilt is coming from, and you’ve made a plan to change it, it’s time to let it go.
Parental guilt is a normal feeling, but it’s not something that you need to live with. By following these steps, you can learn how to deal with parental guilt healthily.
