Mom Guilt Is Real—Here’s How I Learned to Let It Go

Mom guilt. I don’t think I fully understood it until I became a mom myself. It’s that constant, nagging feeling that you’re not doing enough, not being present enough, not getting it right enough. For me, it started early—wondering if I was eating the right foods during pregnancy, if I was preparing enough for my baby’s arrival, if I was doing motherhood correctly before it even began.

Then, after my son was born, the guilt showed up in new ways. If I took a break, I felt guilty. If I had to focus on work, I felt guilty. No matter what I did, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should be doing more. Sound familiar?

But here’s what I’ve learned: mom guilt is a liar. The pressure to be perfect is exhausting and completely unrealistic. The truth is, I was already doing enough—and so are you. I had to remind myself that my son doesn’t need a perfect mom; he needs a happy, healthy one. Taking care of myself isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.

So how do we let go of mom guilt? It’s not easy, but here are a few things that helped me:

💛 Shift your perspective. If your best friend told you she felt like a bad mom for needing a break, you’d reassure her in a heartbeat. Start speaking to yourself with that same kindness.

💛 Remember what really matters. Your child won’t remember whether dinner was homemade or store-bought. They’ll remember feeling loved, safe, and seen.

💛 Let go of unrealistic expectations. Social media will have you thinking everyone else is doing it better—but trust me, they’re not. Every mom struggles in some way, even if they don’t post about it.

💛 Know that you’re enough. Your love, your presence, and your efforts are more than enough. Even on the hard days.

I still feel mom guilt sometimes, but I refuse to let it control me. Instead of questioning if I’m doing enough, I remind myself that my son is happy, loved, and thriving—and that’s all that truly matters.

So if you’re feeling the weight of mom guilt today, take a deep breath and let it go. You’re doing an incredible job, mama. 💛

XO Lili