Overcome Mom Guilt

If you are a mom, Mother’s Day brings gifts and accolades. From crayon-colored art work to handwritten poetry to bouquets of flowers picked from the yard to breakfast in bed. Mother’s Day is your day. Hopefully, you will be praised and spoiled by your children.

Then you go to church and listen to the annual Mother’s Day sermon about how wonderful mothers are and how we are who we are today because of our mothers. There are probably references to the Proverbs 31 woman. But with all this praise and adoration do you have that sick feeling in the pit of your stomach? Thoughts like, that’s not me. I sure failed at that, if these people only knew that I am a mess and barely surviving motherhood. I don’t know what I am doing and maybe my children aren’t going to even turn out to be decent human beings because I am barely hanging on over here.

Then you wake up on Monday morning, praying to God to help you live up to all the expectations of Mother’s Day. And then it begins, the jeans that didn’t get washed and the pantless child, the burnt breakfast, the sharp word at a whiny child. I call this the Mother’s Day hangover.

How can we overcome mom guilt not just on the post-Mother’s Day Monday, but throughout the year?

I am going to be honest. I don’t enjoy Mother’s Day for all the reasons given in the intro. I always feel less than adequate. I know that I don’t live up to the praise and adoration given to me. I certainly don’t live up to the Proverbs 31 woman that is often referenced on Mother’s Day.

Not only that, I have compassion for women who have longed to have a child but have not. My heart breaks for moms who have lost a child. There is also the mother with wayward children. Or the lady who has lost her mother. I am not advocating to get rid of Mother’s Day. I appreciate the recognition, but I would just as soon skip over it. as I get further along on this mothering journey, I have had to ask God to help me to embrace Mother’s Day the best that I can. If I was the perfect mother, why would I need Jesus? I am thankful that I can cling to Him and ask for his grace and help along the mothering journey.

If you can relate to this Mother’s Day Hangover, which has nothing to do with drinking alcohol. Rather, it is that giddy Mother’s Day feeling, followed by the smack of the reality of all the messes and responsibilities on Monday.

5 tips to overcome mom guilt and embrace this journey of motherhood, especially as a work from home mom.

1. Embrace Flexibility: Recognize that being a work-from-home mom allows you to be more flexible in how you manage your time. Embrace this flexibility by setting realistic expectations for yourself and understanding that it's okay if things don't always go as planned. But along with this develop schedules and habits. Children and adults for that matter thrive on routine.
2. Prioritize Self-Care: Remember that taking care of yourself is essential for your well-being and productivity. Schedule regular self-care activities, whether it's a quick workout, a walk outside, or a few moments of meditation. By prioritizing self-care, you'll be better equipped to handle the demands of both work and motherhood.
3. Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and family time to create a sense of balance. Communicate these boundaries with your family and colleagues, and stick to them as much as possible. Setting specific work hours and designating a dedicated workspace can help you stay focused during work hours and fully present with your family when you're off the clock.
4. Celebrate Achievements: Celebrate your achievements, both big and small, as a work-from-home mom. Whether it's completing a project ahead of schedule, spending quality time with your kids, or simply getting through a hectic day, take a moment to acknowledge and celebrate your accomplishments. Recognizing your successes can help boost your confidence and alleviate feelings of guilt.
5. Pray Take time to talk to God and tell Him your struggles and worries. If you need help developing a prayer habit, check out the May Scripture Writing Challenge.

So, if you're ready to banish the Mother's Day Hangover and embrace the journey of motherhood with confidence, join me on this adventure. Together, we'll navigate the ups and downs, celebrate the victories, and find joy in the chaos.
Here's to overcoming mom guilt and thriving as moms – one Monday at a time!