Most women don’t quite understand what is at the heart of mom guilt. They’ll say they feel guilty for working or for sending their kids to daycare or for not spending more time with their family, but this is not actually where guilt comes from.

In today’s episode I’m sharing with you the real story behind mom guilt. Here is a hint: It does not have to do with how much you work, or how much time you spend with your kids or the fact that they spend more time with a caretaker then with you during the workday…it is about the story you are telling yourself. 

I will also normalize the experience of mom guilt and explain its connection to the mama bear phenomenon. At the end I will offer 3 reflection exercises to help pull yourself out of any guilt that you’re experiencing so you are able to be more present and engaged at both work and home.

Topics in this episode:

• Mom guilt doesn’t have to do with working or with the amount of time you spend with your kids.  
• You are not a bad mom for working  
• Changing the story from being “not good enough” as a mom because you work 
• What do your kids gain from being at daycare? 
• The difference between sadness and guilt  
• What is the mama bear phenomenon and how does it contribute to guilt?

Show Notes & References:

• Check out the Ambitious and Balanced podcast on my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPZA5JKXYxjCMqodh4wxPBg  
• If you don’t want to waste any more time in a job you find unfulfilling or where you lack balance, click here to schedule a free call to learn my 3 step coaching process to creating an ambitious yet balanced working mom life: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/book  
• Want ongoing support as a working mom? Sign up for the free 19-day audio series: How to be a present and connected mom. Each day you will receive an email with a downloadable audio of 5 minutes or less that will teach you a tool or strategy for being more present and in the moment. Click here to sign up and receive the first audio: https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/be-present-optin