Down With Guilt - The Campaign Continues

Yesterday I wrote about guilt being the number one energy-sapper for mothers.  According to today's Guardian, actress Jessica Hynes agrees. 

Speaking to Gareth McLean, Jessica says: "There seems to be an epidemic of guilt among mothers. It's not about anything in particular but you just feel guilty. I've made a conscious decision to give all that up because it seemed to really cloud my experience of motherhood. I've given up on guilt like I gave up smoking. It's totally unhealthy, completely counter-productive, has no nutritional value whatsoever and I really don't enjoy it. Guilt is obstructive to love."  Read the full article here. 

Hooray for Jessica Hynes and her words of truth and wisdom.

Today, stick your nose in the air whilst you squish guilt into the carpet where it belongs.

Comments

[Linda]

Hi Joanne, such wise words. I've never understood the "guilt" thing - I've missed my daughters while at work, but have never felt "guilty", perhaps that's because I've been lucky enough to work "around" them as much as possible. Having two at once took away any dilemma about "should" I work such and such hours, as it was out of the question, due to childcare - and I was grateful for that! Loving your blog, take care, Linda
x

[Joanne Mallon]

Thank you so much for being the first commenter Linda.

I sometimes feel that there's a huge assumption nowadays that guilt is an essential, inevitable part of being a mother. It's not - it's just an attitude that you can choose to adopt, or not. You can either feel proud of what you are doing, or feel guilty about what you're not.

all the best, be well

Joanne