I thought mom guilt would ease up as my kids got older. When they were babies and toddlers, I felt guilty for needing a break, for working outside of the home, for not making every single moment magical (though I really tried). But now, as a mom to a tween and a teen, I’ve realized that mom guilt doesn’t disappear—it just evolves.
The New Face of Mom Guilt
Now, the guilt looks different. It’s feeling bad when I’m answering emails while my son wants to tell me about the latest youtuber. It’s knowing my daughter had a tough day at school, but I’m so mentally drained from work that I don’t have the energy to dive deep into a drama centered conversation. It’s missing a school event because of a client meeting or letting them have more screen time than I’d like because I need to finish a project.
And then there’s the guilt of knowing they don’t need me in the same way they once did—but still wanting to be there for every moment, just in case they do.
The Myth of Perfect Balance
We hear, almost daily, so much about work-life balance, but let’s be real—it often feels impossible. Some days, I feel like I’m nailing it. I get my morning workout in, my work is done hours early, have meaningful conversations with my kids, and maybe even snuck in some time with my bestie. Other days, I feel like I’m barely keeping up, forgetting to respond to school emails, barely getting my work to-do list done, rushing through dinner, and falling into bed exhausted, wondering if I was present enough for them.
The truth? There’s no perfect balance. There are only priorities, and those shift daily. Some days, work has to take center stage. Other days, I shut my laptop early because my kids need me more. And I’ve learned to accept that’s okay.
Letting Go of the Guilt
So how do we shake the mom guilt? Here are a few things that help me:
- Quality Over Quantity – It’s not about spending all day with them; it’s about making the time you do have meaningful. Even 10-15 minutes of focused conversation matters more than hours of distracted time together.
- Setting Boundaries – I try to keep work out of certain hours. My kids may be older, but they still appreciate my undivided attention when they open up.
- Letting Go of Perfection – Some nights, dinner isa frozen pizza. Some weeks, I miss things. And that’s okay. I remind myself that I’m showing my kids what it looks like to work hard, self-care and provide for a family at the same time.
- Checking In – I make it a point to ask my kids how they feel about just about everything. Do they feel heard, sad, upset, etc? Do they need more from me? Their answers sometimes surprise me and help me adjust my approach.
- Giving Myself Grace – I remind myself that I’m doing my very best at all times in that moment. And since they are my top priority, I know that even on my worst days, they feel that my best is enough.
The Bigger Picture
Mom guilt never really goes away because we truly care. But instead of letting it consume us, we can use it as a reminder to check in, adjust, and show up in the best way we can. Our kids don’t need a perfect mom; they just need a present one. And that, is DOABLE!
Do you struggle with mom guilt? How do you manage balancing everything?
I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Feel free to comment below or email me at Mandy @ acupful .com
Want to connect on a more personal level!?
You can find me & Acupful.com on
Facebook, Instagram, & Pinterest!
Want to save this info?
PIN IT!
