East Tennessee mothers share stories of ‘mom guilt’

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — It’s a powerful thing and it hits just about every mom: Mom Guilt. 6 News’ Lori Tucker sat down with five East Tennessee moms who have diverse stories including a divorce, a child with special needs, juggling a job and home life, spending quality time with the kids.

Two experts with McNabb Center shared their expertise with the group as they listened to their stories.

Angie, a mom whose son has cerebral palsy, shared this: “It’s hard personally seeing all the other families that have the quote ‘normal’ life with their children: milestones other kids are hitting that mine’s not and it became something I really had to work through and delete some apps and milestone counters -it does give you a negative ‘this isn’t happening in my life so it must be wrong.'”

“Set those boundaries from accessing those different platforms that can be overwhelming and then that constant comparison can happen when we are kind of bombarded with the media and the idealistic expectations,” said Shannon Dow, the Senior Director of the McNabb Center’s Blount County Services and an infant and early childhood mental health specialist

“It’s ok to allow ourselves to not be a perfect mom and just live out our reality and learn how to enjoy the moment,” said Sarah Lee, who also works for the McNabb Center.

The full conversation can be watched in the player above. The overall goal is to provide support and empathy for mothers.

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