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The Guilt We’re Not Carrying Anymore
PDT Real Talk
Mona Amin
July 27, 2025
We’ve all been there. You skip bath night, hand over a snack that’s more chocolate than carrot, or leave your kid with a very capable partner, and you know it’s fine.
You do what works, everyone’s okay…and somehow, guilt still shows up.
And with August around the corner, aka the season of reset schedules, fresh routines, and pressure to “get it all right,” we wanted to flip the script.
So we asked:
“What’s one thing you’ve stopped feeling guilty about as a parent?”
Let’s just say… You delivered. Here’s a peek at what you had to say, and we hope it helps you feel a little less alone, too.
Say no to events that happen during nap time.
Snacks. Instead of arguing with my almost-4-year-old daughter about her snacks, I let her pick one item she really wants to eat, and then I add the rest. She wants to eat M&Ms? Fine - she can pick 5, and I'll add some cheese and fruit to the plate. She only wants to eat a snack instead of dinner? Fine - I'll add snack items to the dinner plate and sometimes this means she'll eat a bit of everything.
Saying “no thank you”, I no longer feel the need to give a whole explanation for why I’m saying no.
Leaving my kids at the daycare gym for an hour while I exercise.
Eating breakfast on the couch. It just works better for us, and we always eat dinner together at the table, so I feel like we have a good balance.
Being one and done! I always thought we'd have a house full of kids, but my body had other plans for me! I felt guilty we couldn't give my son a sibling and playmate, but he's doing A-OK on his own!
Telling my young kids "mama needs a break right now" and taking a 5-10 mins to myself!
Taking the time to enjoy my solo-hobby. I used to feel guilty about leaving my child to go workout or even go for a dance class but now, I don't. I tell her that it makes me happy and my happiness matters too and mommy always comes back.
Not being able to play with my kids and give them floor time and attention 24/7. I used to beat myself up about not being on the floor and playing with my 2 year old when I had housework to do or just needed a break. I never wanted her to feel lonely, so I used to drop everything and play. I have now realized that she can play independently and doesn’t need my input every 5 minutes.
I’ve stopped caring about what other people think about mine and my husband’s choices for our family. Admittedly, it took a very, very long time to get here and not feel guilty about it, but I realized that listening to the unsolicited advice was only ramping up my anxiety and in turn, impacting my family.
The amount of vegetables my kids do or don't eat! My job is to serve the food, their job is to eat it.
Zooming out can change everything
Reading these responses, one thing becomes clear: guilt tends to creep in when we’re zoomed way too far in. On whether we’re doing enough, being enough, showing up the “right” way.
But parenting isn’t a checklist. It’s a big, evolving picture.
When we zoom in too closely, it’s easy to spiral. We hyper-fixate on the lunch they didn’t eat, the screen time they did get, or the fact that we needed five minutes alone. Zooming out doesn’t mean ignoring what matters, it means remembering what actually does. It’s a way to shift from control to clarity, from panic to presence.
If that perspective sounds like something you need more of, listen to this PedsDocTalk podcast episode about Zoom Out Parenting. It’s full of practical ways to step back, reframe guilt, and see the whole story, not just the one hard moment.
Bottom line?
Guilt doesn’t need a reason, it just needs a crack in the door. But these reminders? They slam it shut with one hand while holding a snack plate in the other.
You’re allowed to make parenting choices that protect your energy, your peace, and your kid’s well-being, even if it doesn’t look perfect.
And if this topic hit home, we’ve got more where that came from. Check out these podcast episodes for the next time guilt tries to sneak back in:
Thank you
Thank you to everyone who shared this month. The giveaway winner has been notified via email (check your inbox!). See you in the next Q&A newsletter with August’s question!
And, if you need permission to drop a little guilt today? Consider this it.
PedsDocTalk Monthly Recap
Check out the PedsDocTalk monthly recap of the most-viewed and talked-about content on Instagram, YouTube, and the podcast. From hard parenting truths to early puberty concerns and baby motor milestones, these topics have sparked important conversations. Take a look at what’s been catching your attention this month!
On Instagram
This post shares 10 hard parenting truths, from holding boundaries to rethinking overscheduling, and why facing the uncomfortable stuff is often what sparks real growth. It’s a no-shame, no-judgment reminder that how we show up now shapes who our kids become later.
This post breaks down why toddler discipline starts earlier than many expect, and how it’s not about punishment, but calm, consistent teaching rooted in connection and communication. The post walks through how toddlers learn through cause and effect, and how calm, consistent modeling helps them build trust and understand boundaries.
On YouTube
This video outlines 6 simple, practical ways to support your baby’s motor development month by month. From tummy time to push toys, it emphasizes floor play, natural movement, and letting your baby build strength and coordination at their own pace, no fancy gear required.
On The Podcast
This episode clears up the confusion around early puberty and endocrine disruptors, with pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Sarah Hart-Unger. From understanding what early puberty actually looks like to when to worry (and when not to), it offers science-backed guidance on common concerns like bone age scans, BPA, lavender lotion, and rising puberty trends, without fueling panic or guilt.
In The Media
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