MMD BLOG


CATEGORY:

MOM GUILT + WORKING MAMAS

WORKING MOM GUILT IS THE NEW BLACK

 Modern Mommy Doc


PUBLICATION DATE:

October 17, 2022

WORKING MOM GUILT IS THE NEW BLACK

 Modern Mommy Doc

CATEGORY: MOM GUILT + WORKING MAMAS

Mom guilt is not a new concept. Almost from the time you find out you’re pregnant, you can experience it. You’re already inundated with the thoughts of whether or not you’re getting enough rest, taking the right prenatals, or eating the right foods in order keep your baby as healthy as you can.


It kicks up about a thousand notches once that baby makes its arrival. You can feel guilty because the house isn’t spotless, but also when you are cleaning. You feel guilty about not spending enough money on the “best” stroller and are reminded of it every time you buy yourself a coffee. You feel it when you want time alone away from your child but then feel guilty when you resent that you can’t.


We can even feel guilty that we feel guilty. Have you ever experienced that? When you’re upset that your baby isn’t napping well, you feel guilty because you know other moms aren’t getting any sleep at night. Or when they’re fussy because they’re teething, you feel guilty because you know other moms have a chronically ill child and your issue seems small comparatively.


Mom guilt is real and it is POWERFUL.


And then there’s working mom guilt. This is not to say that moms who chose not to work (in the “I have a paying job” sense…OBVIOUSLY all moms wooooork) don’t experience intense guilt. Like I just mentioned, it starts even before the baby is born. 



But working moms can sometimes experience something different.


Working moms can feel guilty because they want to work. Or because they don’t want to work, but that’s not in the financial cards for their family.

Working moms feel guilty when they can’t go on field trips. Or feel guilty that they don’t want to go on field trips and would rather be working.

Working moms feel guilty that they actually enjoy their time at work. Or that their kids have to stay at the after school program instead of getting picked up at normal dismissal.

Working moms feel guilty when they’re at home because they should/could/need/want to be working. And they feel guilty when they’re working because sometimes they want to be home.



I wish I could title this blog, “3 ways to get rid of your working mom guilt fast!” but I can’t. I don’t even have 3 ways to get rid of it slowly. But I do have a few ideas to help you process through it.


Accept the emotion. Fighting your way through it and just telling yourself to “stop feeling guilty” is the equivalent of telling a woman to “calm down” when she’s angry. It’s not going to help anything and it’s probably going to make things worse. When you feel guilt starting to creep in, have a conversation with yourself that gives room for that feeling.


“Ugh. Feeling mom guilt again. That totally makes sense. I hate that I missed my daughter’s play this morning and I’m really mad that I couldn’t take the time off to see it.”


When you can have that conversation, you’re allowing yourself to start to process that emotion rather than pushing through or pushing it aside. It normalizes the feeling rather than making you feel even more uncomfortable because you had it.


Figure out a game plan. Is there anything that you can do now that would make you feel better? Could you plan a special time with your kiddo while they tell you all about the play? Could you let them stay up late that night for a special treat? We know that it’s not REALLY about watching your kid be a tree on stage. It’s about the connection and letting them know how proud you are of them (and seeing how proud they are of themselves!) and showing them that you’re there to celebrate them.


Remind yourself of the badass that you are. You don’t have to be a c-suite exec to be a ballin working mama. Every mom who goes out and does ANYTHING to help provide for her family does it because she loves them. When you’re feeling guilty about being a working mom or about what that means you have to sacrifice, take the time to write out all the positives of your situation–even if you don’t want to be working in the first place. 


It can be as simple (and hugely valuable) as paying for groceries and housing. It can be that every day your kiddos see you fight for yourself and your ideals at work. It could be that you’re setting an example for what hard work and working towards a goal looks like.


Mom guilt of any kind will probably never go away. I’m sure we’ll still feel it in our 60s wondering if we did it all right. But the biggest thing I’ve realized is that if I didn’t love my kids like crazy, I wouldn’t feel guilty. So in reality, mom guilt is just a reminder that you’re a great mom.


That you’re a mom who sacrifices for her kids every single day.


And there’s no guilt in that.

Raising Body-Confident Kids Starts at the Doctor's Office!

START NOW
By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
By Dr. Whitney November 13, 2025
Stop being so busy, and start being more present.
By Dr. Whitney November 5, 2025
Starting out right with solids doesn't have to be so scary.
By Dr. Whitney October 29, 2025
What if YOU are the one who needs to calm down first?

Welcome! Get the information you need to win at parenting without losing yourself.

LEARN MORE

My Kids' Book on Body Confidence is Finally Here!


Wish your partner would do more to lessen your mental load?


Want to make self-care a priority but not sure how to?


SIGN UP FOR SUSTAINABLE SELF-CARE. IT'S FREE. CLICK HERE



FRESH

ON THE PODCAST


By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
By Dr. Whitney November 13, 2025
Stop being so busy, and start being more present.