Mom Guilt During COVID and 2 ways to stop the mom guilt right now!
I am tired. I can’t kick this feeling that I should be doing more. I finally lost it today and hid in the closet and cried.
Anyone else feeling Mom Guilt during COVID? My social media is telling me that I should be playing more games with my kids, going on more walks, cooking healthy meals, and having fantastic bonding moments baking with my kids. Instead, the kids are tired of my cooking, are bored with walks around the same park, run to their electronics every chance I let them, and we are on our ten-thousandth episode of Naked and Afraid. Also, I am exhausted. I love my kids and spending time with them, but even “Impactful Parents” need a break. I am not bored. I am the opposite of bored. I can’t get enough done during the day. My to-do list of engaging bonding activities with my kids AND the upkeep on my house AND maintaining the necessities of my children (like school-at-home, 3-meals a day, laundry, and supervision,) AND my work-from-home job, NEVER-SEEM-TO-END. I fall asleep each night with a feeling of, “Damn, I never got _____ done.”
Mom Guilt during COVID
Yes, the quarantine is wearing on me. It is time to refocus and give myself grace. If you’re reading this and you feel like I do, I want you to know that you’re not alone. The good news, there are two things you can do to help.
Mom Guilt Buster #1: Prioritize yourself. This is sooooo difficult but so necessary! To be a better parent, you have to prioritize your well-being; otherwise, you will get grumpier, more tired, and you’re best “mommy-skills” will begin to diminish. In short, you will burn out, and you’re kids need you. Prioritize self-care, like exercise, alone time, and mental breaks.
Mom Guilt Buster #2: Redefine your priorities. I have been wondering, “Am I failing my children?” When they look back on this time, what will they remember? In most cases, children don’t remember WHAT you said nor WHAT you did, but instead, they remember HOW you made them feel. I hope my kids remember all the love and security. That is my main goal as a parent during this quarantine- make my kids feel loved and secure. My goal each day is not too be the best homeschool teacher. It is not to stop my kids from eating ice cream. It is not to prevent them from playing Minecraft. My goal is to make sure that my kids know I love them and that they are protected during this uncertain time. When this is all over, I want my kids to have the confidence they need to go back to their routine and the mental resiliency to get through this epidemic without going crazy. Those qualities are founded on love and security.
Mom Guilt during COVID
What are your goals for today? Don’t compare yourself to the Jones’ next door or to Karen’s photos on Instagram. Be the best YOU. Be the best parent for your children (what-ever that looks like in YOUR house.)
Taken from Gary Vaynerchuk’s Lindenpost, I thought this image had a great message.