By Stacy-Ann Gooden, Mom.me
Every single mom feels mom guilt. No exceptions. And it won't get better unless we start talking about it more. That's why I'm so grateful that the "Today" show moms recently opened up about feeling mom guilt in the latest edition of PEOPLE’s Mom Talk video series. Not only did they get real about their their parenting struggles, their candidness drives home the point that it’s impossible to find the perfect balance between career and motherhood—no matter who you are.
“It’s makes me feel better about coming to work because a lot of us have that mom guilt. Then I realize we’re all doing it. We’re all juggling.” says 39-year-old and mom of three Sheinelle Jones.“It is so real,” Savannah Guthrie confesses. The 45-year-old mom of two goes on to say that she feels terrible mom guilt being away from 2-year-old Vale and 5-month-old Charles Max.
”I’m hardly ever away from my kids and I feel sickened when I’m not with them. I miss them. I feel I’m letting them down even if I’m with them all day, all week long, and I want to take a bath. I feel bad that they’re at the other side of the apartment,” she says.Jenna Bush Hager, 35, mom to daughters Mila, 4, and Poppy, 20 months, shares the enormous guilt she felt for missing her daughter’s art show.
Every single mom feels mom guilt. No exceptions. And it won't get better unless we start talking about it more. That's why I'm so grateful that the "Today" show moms recently opened up about feeling mom guilt in the latest edition of PEOPLE’s Mom Talk video series. Not only did they get real about their their parenting struggles, their candidness drives home the point that it’s impossible to find the perfect balance between career and motherhood—no matter who you are.
“It’s makes me feel better about coming to work because a lot of us have that mom guilt. Then I realize we’re all doing it. We’re all juggling.” says 39-year-old and mom of three Sheinelle Jones.“It is so real,” Savannah Guthrie confesses. The 45-year-old mom of two goes on to say that she feels terrible mom guilt being away from 2-year-old Vale and 5-month-old Charles Max.
”I’m hardly ever away from my kids and I feel sickened when I’m not with them. I miss them. I feel I’m letting them down even if I’m with them all day, all week long, and I want to take a bath. I feel bad that they’re at the other side of the apartment,” she says.Jenna Bush Hager, 35, mom to daughters Mila, 4, and Poppy, 20 months, shares the enormous guilt she felt for missing her daughter’s art show.
Even though I no longer work full-time, there are still moments when I feel that guilt all over again.
“This week I missed Mila’s art show. I got an early flight just to make it home. My flight from New Orleans was delayed. I missed her art show, and Mila said, 'But Mommy, you weren’t there,'” she explains.There’s no denying that we all go through mom guilt at some point. As a working mom, sometimes you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place. You’re torn between a career you've worked so hard for and a family you love so much.
Needless to say, mom guilt is something I've struggled with as well. I often second guess myself. Do I put in long hours in order to get a promotion, even though it means missing my children's bedtime every night?And it kills me inside every time. In fact, mom guilt is what led me to quit my full-time TV job as a meteorologist a couple years ago.
Even though I no longer work full-time, there are still moments when I feel that guilt all over again. Now I realized it really doesn’t matter what you do or how many hours you put in at work. Mom guilt will always be there. I’ve learned over the years that there will never be that perfect balance. The key is to just do your best and focus on quality time.
As "Today" show host and 52-year-old first time mom Hoda Kotb says, "We’re proof that moms come in all shapes and sizes and ages and everything."And we are not alone.
We all go have times where we feel we're not doing enough—that we're not enough—but every one of us are truly doing the best we can for our children. And at the end of the day, that's what they'll remember most.
Needless to say, mom guilt is something I've struggled with as well. I often second guess myself. Do I put in long hours in order to get a promotion, even though it means missing my children's bedtime every night?And it kills me inside every time. In fact, mom guilt is what led me to quit my full-time TV job as a meteorologist a couple years ago.
As "Today" show host and 52-year-old first time mom Hoda Kotb says, "We’re proof that moms come in all shapes and sizes and ages and everything."And we are not alone.
