Mum guilt… it's that sneaky little gremlin that shows up at the worst possible time - usually right after you’ve done something completely reasonable, like taking five minutes to scroll Instagram while your toddler watches Bluey.

It’s like becoming a mum suddenly comes with this invisible backpack of guilt. You carry it everywhere—through the sleepless nights, the school drop-offs, the dinner you forgot to defrost (again). And no matter how much you’re doing (which is a lot by the way), it never quite feels like enough.

Well, I am here to tell you, you are MORE than enough!

So, what actually triggers mum guilt?

Honestly, anything can, but here are a few classics:

• Screen Time: The mum guilt that hits when you let them watch a movie so you can clean the house—or, let’s be honest, like on the sofa like a potato—is real. But also? Absolutely fine!

• Going back to work: Whether you love your job or just really need adult conversation, there’s always that pang of “Am I abandoning my child?” when you walk out the door with your coffee and laptop.
  
  
• Not enjoying every moment: People love to tell you to “soak it all in” because “it goes so fast,” but sometimes you’re just soaking in cold coffee and tantrums and wondering if it’s bedtime yet.

• Taking Time for Yourself: Whether it’s a solo trip to the shops, a night out, or just locking the bathroom door and pretending not to hear the chaos, somehow, doing something just for you feels selfish. (Spoiler: It’s not!)
  
  

So, how do we deal with it?

Here are a few things that help, from one imperfect parent to another:

• Remind yourself: Guilt doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong: It usually means you care—a lot. Feeling guilty doesn’t make you a bad mum; it makes you human. Try flipping the script: Instead of “I’m failing,” ask, “Why do I feel this way?” and “Is this actually true?”
  
  
• Get off the comparison train: Social media is a highlight reel. That mum with the Pinterest lunches is not be this picture-perfect off-camera. We’re all just figuring it out one step at a time.
  
  
• Talk about it: Text a friend who gets it. Vent to your partner. Say it out loud. Mum guilt thrives in silence, so shine a light on it, and you’ll see it’s not just you.
  
  
• Let go of the ‘perfect parent’ myth: Your kids don’t need a flawless mum—they need a real one. One who loves them fiercely, even if she occasionally hides in her bedroom with a bar of chocolate.
  
  
• Remember: Balance doesn’t mean equal: Some days you’ll smash it. Others, you won’t feel like it. It all balances out in the end, I promise.

So next time that familiar guilt creeps in, take a deep breath and remind yourself, you’re doing your best.

And from one mum to another: your best is MORE than enough.