Dr. Becky Kennedy

So for example, if I no-showed to your podcast and I was like, yeah, I'm not just in the mood, like something happened, I'd feel guilty because I'd be like, it is not in my value system to no-show.

Okay, helpful.

I'd say, well, why did that happen?

It would make me reflect and hopefully bring my behavior the next time back in alignment with our values.

That's what guilt is.

Whenever we talk about mom guilt, it's so interesting.

When I ask for examples from people, well, tell me, tell me the last time you had mom guilt.

They'll say something like this.

Okay, well, look, I'm home with my kids a lot, you know, and there's a night my friends are having dinner and I really want to go to this birthday dinner.

And my husband or my wife or my babysitter, my mother-in-law, whoever it is, is going to be home with my kids.

And then my kids, when they see me getting ready,

I want you to put me down tonight.

And you know, Dr. Becky, I feel too guilty.

I wouldn't even enjoy myself, okay?

Or here's what matters to me as a mom.

I know, like I'm a full-time working mom.

I love my career.

I love my kids.

There are always moments that one feels out of balance, but I want to try to do both.

Okay, those are my values.