Managing Maternal Guilt

When my first son was born, I was not head over heels in love with this precious baby. What was wrong with me? Did this mean I would never really love him like a mother should? I was told that as soon as I lay eyes on him, my heart would burst. But that wasn't how it was for me. My love for my son grew with time. It was just different to what I expected and this misguided expectation led to a lot of guilt and shame.

I always thought I would stay home with my children and not place them in childcare until they turned 3. In fact, I was pretty confident about that.
I was going to love motherhood, it was going to be a magical time in my life, where my days were filled with excursions and moments of quality connection. Peace and bliss.

Motherhood has been filled with magical moments and beautiful days of connection, but there has also been many tears and feelings of overwhelm.
When enrolling my son in preschool, I was often asked, are you going back to work. I felt shame in saying no, I just need a break, I just need some time for me. I already felt confused for why I felt I needed time away from him that went against my initial beliefs around mothering, and then the added comments from others just reinforced the doubt in my head.

Was I letting my son down? Was I letting myself down?

Motherhood is a journey filled with both joy and challenges. At times, the weight of guilt can settle on your shoulders as you support your little ones. Maternal guilt, often stemming from societal or personal expectations, is a common feeling among mothers. In this webinar, we will redefine this narrative, viewing guilt as an opportunity for growth and self-discovery.