Positive Parenting: Avoiding Guilt

When you're a parent, it's hard not to feel guilty about ... everything! You hire a sitter so you can sneak out for date night and you feel like doo-doo. You have to work and miss your kid's soccer game and you feel like heck. Our advice? Cut yourself some slack! You're a parent, you're not perfect! And if Mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy!

All you can do is try to do your best. If you feel guilty that you don't spend enough time with the kids, try to set aside at least 10 minutes a day of special one-on-one time. It might not be a ton, but it's something and it'll make you feel a lot better!

If you feel guilty that you can't buy your kid everything his buddies have, don't! Stuff doesn't buy happiness!

If you feel guilty that you snapped at your kid when he didn't deserve it, fugetabouit! Just apologize and let it go. Even mom is entitled to a bad day now and then.

The one thing you should never feel guilty about is setting firm but loving boundaries and rules for your kids. Sure, they may hem and haw and tell you that you're the meanest mommy on the planet, but kids need structure and discipline. Your job as a parent isn't to be your kid's BFF. Your job is to raise a happy, capable person who loves you. And setting boundaries is an important part of that!

Want to read more? Check out this page full of positive parenting information!