Why Working Moms Shouldn’t Stress about “Mommy Guilt”—Reason #2—Guilt connects us with other moms, showing us that we’re not alone.

In our last article, we explored how “Mommy Guilt” is not just a burden you carry alone; it’s a common experience that almost all working moms share. Whether you’re juggling a career, household responsibilities, or both, that nagging feeling of not doing enough is normal.

But here’s the good news: that guilt you feel? It’s something that connects women from all walks of life, whether they’re movie stars, models, teachers, doctors, or stay-at-home moms. We all share the weight of that guilt when it comes to parenting. And guess what? You’re in great company.

“Bad Moms” Aren’t So Bad After All

Take the 2016 movie Bad Moms, for example. It’s a hilarious tale of overworked, overscheduled, and underappreciated moms who finally decide to throw perfectionism out the window. What brings them together? Guilt. They all feel like they don’t measure up in their supermom communities. But through this shared guilt, they find a connection—and ultimately realize that sometimes it’s okay to be a little bit of a “Bad Mom.”

Bad Moms resonated with so many because the struggle is real! That’s why it struck such a chord with audiences—it was a humorous yet accurate portrayal of the pressures moms face every day. And it highlights an important truth: you’re not the only one who feels like they’re falling short sometimes.

The Guilt Is Real—But It’s Universal

According to a study reported by Working Mother, American parents feel an average of 23 pangs of guilt a week over their parenting decisions. That’s a lot of guilt! And you know what? Moms are twice as likely to experience this guilt than dads. So if you feel like you’re carrying a heavier load in the guilt department, you’re not imagining it.

But why is this? Why are moms so hard on themselves?

Are We Programmed for Guilt?

It seems that many of us are, indeed, programmed to feel guilt. From a young age, women are bombarded with messages telling us we need to be perfect. Media, magazines, sitcoms, and societal expectations propagate these unrealistic standards, and we internalize them. Before we know it, we’re holding ourselves to an impossible standard—trying to be everything to everyone.

For example, consider how you might beat yourself up for not attending your son’s Mother’s Day breakfast at school because of work. But even when you do manage to attend, you feel guilty for not bringing homemade cupcakes like some of the other moms. It’s one of those damned if you do, damned if you don’t situations that leave us feeling like we’re never doing enough.

But here’s the thing: that shared guilt can create a sense of camaraderie. When you catch another mom rolling her eyes at the “perfect moms” with the home-baked cupcakes, you suddenly realize you’re not alone in this. There’s an instant connection, a mutual understanding that none of us have it all together all the time. And that’s okay.

The Strength in Imperfection

Being a mom is hard work—and it’s incredibly important work. Feeling guilty about missed opportunities or not being perfect is normal. But let me tell you something: making mistakes is okay! And yes, even feeling guilty about them is okay. Just don’t let it consume you. Instead, embrace the imperfection and recognize that you’re part of a larger community of moms who are all in the same boat.

Sometimes, it’s through these shared moments of imperfection that we make new friends. It’s a beautiful irony—what makes us feel isolated also has the power to bring us together.

You’re Probably Guilty of This Too… LOL!

Let’s lighten things up a bit with some funny stories from Vogue that many moms might relate to. These are perfect examples of how none of us are perfect, and that’s totally fine:

  • “I once played Drake in front of my toddler, and she loved it so much that I now play his songs constantly. This doesn’t sound so terrible until you realize my 1-year-old is dancing along to lyrics like ‘bounce that s like whoa’ and ‘she rode that d* like a soldier.’ Not great.”* — Bad Mom to a 1-year-old.
  • “One time, I was at the park with my daughter, and I wanted to capture her going down the slide on Snapchat. Instead of catching her at the bottom, I was too busy filming with my iPhone and basically watched her face-plant at the end of the slide. The whole thing was recorded.”Bad Mom to an 18-month-old.
  • “I’m still working on not saying the ‘F’ word in front of her. She’s been known to repeat it here and there—even to her preschool teachers. Oops! Luckily, they thought it was funny.”Bad Mom to a 2-year-old.

You’re Not a “Mombot”

Sure, you could be more organized, more cheerful, and more on top of every little detail. But you’re not a “Mombot,” and that’s a good thing! No one—except, perhaps, you—expects you to be perfect. So don’t let “Mommy Guilt” consume you. Instead, recognize that you’re not alone. Guilt is a universal experience that connects women in all walks of life.

What’s Next?

We’ve covered two important reasons why working moms shouldn’t stress about “Mommy Guilt”:

And now we’re gearing up for the most important reason of all… Reason #1. Stay tuned!

In the meantime, we’re collecting funny “Bad Mom” stories. Share yours in the comments below for a chance to be featured in our next article in the series! Let’s have some fun and embrace the chaos of motherhood together.

Remember, no mom is perfect—but every mom is doing her best, and that’s more than enough.

Let’s Continue to Empower, Connect, and Promote your success

For all the incredible women balancing careers as optometrists and motherhood, the Optometry Divas community is your tribe! Here’s why you should join:

  • Empowerment: Being part of Optometry Divas connects you to a network of successful women who are just like you—passionate about their careers and committed to personal growth.
  • Support: Whether it’s mentorship, resources, or just someone to talk to, the Optometry Divas community has your back. You’ll never feel alone in your journey.
  • Growth: Through professional development, educational retreats, and networking events, Optometry Divas gives you the tools to grow in your practice and life.

So what are you waiting for? Join Optometry Divas today at OptometryDivas.com/join and start connecting with women who inspire, uplift, and empower one another. Together, we can navigate the challenges of work, life, and motherhood while achieving success in every area. You’ve got this, Supermom!

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Why Working Moms Shouldn’t Stress about “Mommy Guilt”—Reason #3—“Guilt is what keeps us human.”

All working moms have “Mommy Guilt” stories. We cringe when we remember the time we blanked during a dance recital, faked our way through a meeting after staying up all night with a sick baby or slid into our exam rooms as unobtrusively as possible after arriving late to work—again—because we couldn’t help locate the lost homework assignment.

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