Being a mom is tough. There are moments of sweet joy and moments of sudden overwhelm. All of which can switch at the drop of a hat. Being a mom is also very incredible. It’s rewarding in a way that I can’t describe, and I thank God every day.
However, mom guilt is very real. It’s heart-wrenching and, at times, all-consuming. There are so many times during the week when the mom’s guilt sets in, and I feel like I’ve failed again and again.
- Why did I say that?
- Why didn’t I say that?
- How could I have handled that situation better?
- How can I make sure to be better next time?
And you know as well as I do that the list is never-ending. So, from a mom of 5 who has plenty of experience with mom guilt, here are some biblical ways that I overcome mom guilt.
1. Take Some Time To Reflect
We all have those situations where we wish we wouldn’t have said that. Once that mom’s guilt sets in, an important step to overcome mom guilt is to take time to reflect. Take time to really think about the situation.
In my experience, it’s never as bad as it seems after I take a second and calm down. Once I take the time to reflect and think out of love and not out of anger, I can see the picture a lot clearer. And after a while, I’m ready to tackle the situation again with a clear mind and a better attitude!
2. Take Some Time for Yourself
This is not to be confused with taking some time to reflect! The truth is that it’s necessary to take some time for yourself. The key is not feeling guilty for doing so. When you don’t make time for yourself, that leaves you drained. And when you’re drained, you’re exhausted, and when you’re exhausted (emotionally or physically), let’s face it- you’re not fun to be around!
And you guessed it- when you’re not fun to be around, no one is having fun. Have you ever heard or realized that attitudes can rub off on you? Have you ever been around someone in a great mood, and it just instantly lifted yours?
What about being around someone with a bad attitude and that totally and completely pulling down yours? Taking time out for yourself makes you feel better. And when you feel better, your attitude and the people around you will notice!
3. Redirect Your Attitude
Ouch. This is a tough one. Redirecting our attitudes seems easier said than done, but sometimes it can be challenging. If you are ever in a situation where you know you can change the tone by adjusting your attitude, do it.
Things are not always going to be how we think they should be. Things will not always work out how we think they will. Most times, that is often when I need to adjust mine. Sometimes I think of how something should be, and when that doesn’t happen, it just throws me off, and in turn, that gives me a bad attitude, and I have to re-adjust it quickly.
The cool thing about this is that you get quicker at it, and it gets easier because you already know what to do!
4. Remember Your “Why”
A great way to overcome mom guilt is to remember your why. Look at your children. Your husband. Your home. All of your abundant blessings! It’s really easy to think about the things that stress you out. It’s easy to think of the overwhelming things.
But take a second. Just think of the positive things. Think about how much you love to hear your children’s laughter. Think about those amazing hugs when you least expect them. That hug from your spouse. All of these things we take for granted daily.
It is easy to remember these things, too. And it’s essential that we focus on the positive things. The negative things will tear you down, which I know is the opposite of where you want to go.
Last Thoughts on Overcoming Mom Guilt
Here these tips are again, so you can write them down, put them on a sticky note, or whatever it is that will help you overcome mom guilt because it’s real.
- Take some time to reflect
- Take some time for yourself
- Redirect your attitude
- Remember your “why”
How do you overcome mom guilt? Let me know in the comments!
