How to survive mom guilt

What is mom guilt? - Put simply, mom guilt is the feeling, or worry, of not doing enough as a parent, an all-pervasive sense of failure in raising your kids.

Blame game - Moms, especially if they are new parents, blame themselves for a perceived inefficiency as a mother.

Working full-time - One of the most common guilt-inducing decisions mothers make is working full time.

Stay-at-home mom - Conversely, stay-at-home mom guilt can emerge with a mother's desire to spend time away from their children even while at home.

Society stereotype - Today, modern society expects women to be perfect wives and mothers while holding down decent, well-paid jobs. And these unfair expectations are quite often too much to bear.

Signs of mom guilt - Mothers acting in anger towards their kids is a common sign of mom guilt.

Psychological effects - Parenting is hard work. Transitioning into motherhood is associated with a higher risk for psychiatric distress.

Sleep deprivation - Raising a newborn will impact the sleep quality of both parents. But when aligned with feelings of guilt, sleep deprivation can morph into chronic fatigue.

Low self-esteem - A constant belief that you're a bad mom can negatively affect your self-worth and self-acceptance.

Don't compare yourself with others - Beware in comparing yourself with other mothers and their children in the community, especially through social media.

Ending it all - In extreme cases, a mom guilt complex can lead to a desire to end one's life. For anyone feeling this way, seeking professional help is critical.

Coping with mom guilt - There are several ways of coping with mom guilt, and self-care is at the top of the list. But how do you rid yourself of all that guilt and get back on track?

Identifying the causes - Why are you feeling guilty? Step back and concentrate on identifying the source of all those negative sentiments.

Listen to your kids - Try activating your mother's intuition by listening to your children. Kids are wonderful sources of information on whether your decisions are working.

Words of wisdom - Use their words of wisdom to help identify areas you should and shouldn't feel guilty about. This in turn will guide you in achieving an acceptable work-life balance.

Practice self-compassion - Stall your guilt trip by practicing a little self-compassion. By doing so it allows room for you to forgive yourself for any mistakes you've made in motherhood.

Get out more - Step back from parenting. It's important to get out now and again, perhaps with a group of colleagues from work, or as part of a girls night out.

When to work with a therapist - If you're still struggling with an overwhelming sense of shame and liability, you might want to consider working with a coach or therapist.