6 Ways Meditation Can Help Eliminate Mom Guilt
Today there’s more pressure than ever on moms to juggle multiple responsibilities for work, school, and family, while also being the main source of emotional support in the household. Meditation can be the key to peace of mind when it feels like expectations are piled higher than the dishes.
When I first became a mom, I lost myself in motherhood. Even now, as the mother of a 5 year old and 1-year-old, it’s often easy to get caught up in every aspect of my children’s lives and forget about my own. I’m not just talking about working hard to give my child everything she could ever dream of, but also choosing myself. Meditation has been a gateway back to me.
Adding a meditation practice to my self-care routine has helped me show up better as a mom. Through my daily practice, I’ve become more mindful of how I’m feeling throughout the day and show myself more compassion when it feels like I’m not being the ideal mom.
What is mom guilt?
Mom guilt is that nagging feeling you get when you think you’re not measuring up to society’s standards of what a “good mother” should be. Maybe it’s your own negative self-talk comparing yourself to mothers you see on social media or TV. Maybe it’s coming from your friends or family members who can’t seem to mind their own business and are constantly giving tips based on how they parent their children. But one thing is for sure, mom guilt can send you into a spiral of anxiety and depression if it gets out of hand.
The toxic image of the ideal mom
The popular image of motherhood leads us to believe that a good mom is always present with her kids, she’s participating actively in their education, making healthy snacks, and transporting them to extracurricular activities. Somehow, ideal mom always looks fabulous while she’s at it. And if she has a partner, she’s miraculously able to meet all of their needs too. Sounds a little too good to be true, doesn’t it? The biggest lesson I’ve learned about motherhood is that it starts with how you treat yourself. You can’t pour from an empty cup. Meditation is a form of self-care that can help fill you up!
Remembering to breathe and think before reacting
Meditation is an amazing way to remind ourselves to stay present. As moms, we are often dealing with messes, temper tantrums, and unexpected mishaps. Meditation practices will allow you to slow down your reaction and allow you to respond instead of react by yelling or saying something that could be potentially harmful to your child.
It’s okay to mess up
Even moms are human. One of the most impactful things I’ve learned through meditation is that nothing in this life is perfect, even your meditation practice which might be interrupted by intrusive thoughts. Give yourself grace!
Develop a new hobby that doesn’t involve your kids
Meditation allows you to develop a practice that’s just for you. Whether it’s 10 minutes in the morning before your kids are up or a walking meditation after lunch, meditation can offer some valuable “me time”. Schedule it and let your support system know ahead of time if you can. Being accountable for your time and communicating your needs will help eliminate the guilt of taking time for yourself.
Encourages you to sit with your feelings and model this for your child
My daughter is now familiar with seeing me close my eyes and breathe deeply. Sometimes she even mimics me, but that actually makes me so proud. Meditation allows you to observe your thoughts and feelings as they arise. If I can be a role model for my child to sit with her feelings and breathe for a moment before reacting, I would say I’m winning at motherhood.
Intentional time to get inspired every day
My daily meditation practice has become a way for me to nourish myself by feeding my mind the thoughts and affirmations I need to be successful in my day. As moms, we have to keep dreaming. We have to stay inspired and have a purpose that extends beyond our kids. Don’t let mom guilt stop your dreams. Use meditation as a time to refill on what inspires you. You’ll be a better mom for it!
You know your kids better than anyone else
Meditation is above all else, time to tune into your own inner strengths and realign with your values. Often I will ground myself by placing my feet on the floor and affirm “I’m deeply rooted in my purpose. I listen to my intuition and know what serves me best.”
It’s so important to take time daily to boost your confidence as a mom. So many people will have opinions on what you should be doing, but only you know innately what your family needs and how you want to raise your kids.
Hopefully, these tips will help you let go of mom guilt and embrace meditation as a way to reclaim yourself as the badass mama you are.
