5 Ways you can stop the mum guilt right now!

Guilt from other parents!

Dropping my daughter off at nursery had to be one of the most guilt-ridden experiences of my life.Trying not cry as her face is pushed up against the door watching me leave, crying her heart out. You would have to be made of stone not to feel anything.
We all need to adapt to change in our lives nothing stays the same forever. I am a big believer in children learning independence and social skills growing up, in a day and age of technology everywhere, social skills are becoming extinct.
So my lovely parents in a strange twist of fate you are helping your child, become independent, become sociable, teaching them life skills, and how to adapt to change, so get rid of those feelings and know you are amazing!

So your child has a dummy? Ok...and what?

By the time my son was 2 months old, he literally did not shut up. Now I adore my children, but when your hearing starts to go and there's nothing you can do to soothe. You start to look for anything that will help, so I tried the dummy and bliss rained upon the household again.
The reaction from the family was comments like, "so and so didn't have a dummy", blah blah blah.
Truth is at that point I really didn't care. If a dummy was the answer then a dummy he would have.
I think a lot of parents worry more about how they are perceived as there seems such a stigma with regards to children having dummies. If it works for you go for it and know you're doing your best, no-one gave us an instruction manual, so guess what... it's up to you!

Breastfeeding? No thanks...

Before I start talking about the guilt of not breastfeeding my children, I want to say that I do believe it is the best nutritional option for them. However, from the minute I found out I was pregnant with both children the pressure to breastfeed them was immense. My opinion about breastfeeding whilst pregnant was one of "I definitely need to breastfeed for the health and well-being of my kids" by the time I had my children and I tried it, I couldn't do it. Was I doing something wrong? The sensation of it made me hold my breath, I just could not get away with it. The Nurses tutted then began to preach to me the benefits (which I might add I already knew) but for me, it wasn't to be. I truly believe that its YOUR choice, give it a go but don't beat yourself up if it doesn't work out for you, trust me I have been there, your baby would much prefer a less stressed mum.

Memories & Milestones

Guilty as charged.

Ultimately this is my biggest parenting flaw.

I have never really been a huge fan of materialistic goods and just before you start shouting at the screen, I do have a valid reason.
17 years ago my beautiful baby girl was born.
Unfortunately, to cut a long story short her biological father had a few issues of his own.. his temper. Not long after the birth, I decided for the good of my child and myself we would leave him. The result was months of stalking, phone calls, and being delivered bags full of destroyed photos and personal effects. The biggest part of the guilt for me is not having anything but a handful of photos from when she was born, those I will treasure forever.

Last but not least time for yourself.

Time for yourself is something we take for granted, we automatically forget to look after ourselves because our lives are just so busy. Bringing up children, working, housework, walking the dog, the list is endless.

One thing I do know for sure is without time for ourselves we will inevitably burn out. What good would you be as a parent if you couldn't function yourself? Taking time to just read, go for a walk, meditate, will make a huge difference to your mental health and physical well being.