"Mom guilt" is shorthand for what we think are two pretty different things:

the universal, low-grade feelings of inadequacy that our soccer snacks aren't as good as Monica's

the intense, deeply personal shame that we are definitely the only horrible parent who has ever allowed their baby to roll off the changing table


Yes, we take on these feelings of guilt and shame—but society is pretty quick to hand them to us. In this episode we discuss

why there isn't such a thing as "dad guilt"

why mom guilt might serve as a sort of magical thinking

if we can at least skip the feeling guilty about HAVING mom guilt part


Here are links to some studies and other writing on this topic that we discuss in this episode:

Lara Bazelon for The Atlantic: The End of Mom Guilt


Amy Paturel for The Washington Post: Why we feel 'mom guilt'—and how to stop


Fresh Take: Dana Dorfman on When Worry Works

Fresh Take: Carla Naumburg on Why You Are Not a Sh*tty Parent

Fresh Take: Sara Petersen on "Momfluencers"

Fresh Take: Susan Linn on How 'Big Tech' Targets Our Kids

Batram-Zantvoort, Stephanie et al, Frontiers in Global Women's Health: "Maternal self-conception and mental wellbeing..."   


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