(Oxy)Moronic Mommy Guilt

I've heard my mom talk about how she "did everything wrong" with me when I was a baby. She's usually giving a pep talk to a new mother, such as myself, and her point is that even if you think you're screwing up big time, if you love your kids things will generally work out. (I'm her living proof!)


But what if all of those "wrong" things were actually "right"? Like letting me nap in my baby swing? Or nursing your baby 24/7? Or letting your toddler into your bed night after night?


Anyone see a trend here? Yep. That word "letting". Or following your kid's lead, needs, desires - however you want to look at it. 


Here's a great article about why it might be a GOOD IDEA not to make your kids eat their greens. And here's another about why maybe it's better not to make a big deal about your kids saying Please and Thank you.


Parents, and especially mommies, feel guilty about just about everything these days: what their kids eat, how much "screen time" they get, being "too easy" on their kids, spoiling kids with too much stuff. But what if most of the things we feel guilty about, things that we think we are letting "slide" are actually things we should feel really great about?! What if most of those things are opportunities for generosity and connection? How amazing would that be! I know it doesn't seem possible - like I'm proposing a huge oxymoron that is way to good to be true. But I don't think it is. I actually think that a lot of guilt is just plain Moronic. And the more you let it go, the more you can embrace living joyfully with your loved ones. 


What things do you feel guilty about? How would it feel to let one of them go? Are you willing to try?