Parenting with Conviction...Not Guilt and Shame #044

Everyone deals with guilt and shame in their lives, but there may be a special mix of it reserved for mothers (and fathers, to a slightly lesser degree). It is hard to not feel shame when we are parenting because there are so many unknowns. We are gardeners, not carpenters, so we can't guarantee the results, which means we often obsess over the inputs we can control. Mix this internal pressure with the overwhelming amount of parenting "advice" and information out there and then top it with the comparison culture of social media.

This week we take a look at why we often feel this way, and we offer some encouragement for facing our faults and moving beyond shame towards positive conviction. We want to move away from the shame that leads to isolation, performance and hiding. We want to move towards intimacy and relationships that set us free. A few tips:

• Admit that we are not perfect and that is okay.
• Focus on what I want for my kids and move towards offering them that, while moving away from self-focused criticism and perfectionism.
• Remember we are not alone.
• Be kind to ourselves along the way.
• Look to proactively encourage other moms and dads.
• Also, don't be afraid to seek professional help from a counselor or coach if needed

The Stat of the Week is about mommy guilt based upon a survey conducted by baby care product company NUK. Also, we mention a funny video that is not suitable for work or safe for the whole family: If Google was a Guy


Thank you for listening! We hope you enjoyed this episode. We are so grateful for everyone who listens to us and would appreciate if you would share the podcast with a friend who might be encouraged by this conversation or who just needs a good laugh at our expense.