First, Happy Mother’s Day to all of us! Mother’s Day is the one day of the year that we all get together to celebrate Mom and all the wonderful things she does for us each and every day.

The truth is that Mother’s Day is the one day of the year that some of us Moms have the most guilt about motherhood. We may feel like we haven’t done enough for our children as we listen to other mom’s talk about their successes in motherhood. Whether it be that we are away from the home working, not being able to breastfeed our newborn, or simply that we are stretched too thin can lead us to sometimes feel like a failure. We have all been there, it’s a normal feeling to have these days when the only thing we post on social media is our accomplishments! Unfortunately, we live in a world of high and unrealistic expectations which leads us to feel inferior at times.

Mom guilt also can make you feel alone, even though being away from your children is very difficult. As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child so we should reach out and ask for help from our husband, siblings and friends where and when we can. This will help us to take a step back, breathe and regroup.

This year on Mother’s Day, know it is a great time to take care of YOU, pamper yourself and leave the kiddos at home. Now you may be thinking, I cannot be without my children on Mother’s Day, that will just further compound my guilt. But it doesn’t have to!

As mothers, I truly believe it is in our nature to have guilt and worry about our children on a constant basis, and this is especially true for new moms. New moms tend to worry about making mistakes or not doing right by their newborn.  I can tell you from experience, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to be a mom. As time goes on and a routine is established, I guarantee you will find “your” groove to parenting. A mother’s love will always shine through to her children.

So remember, there is no such thing as a “perfect mother”. Make time for yourself to exercise, meet up with friends, read a book, sleep or just take a break. Remember, it is your day and you are free to spend the day however you wish. When you make yourself a priority, you can achieve a positive, healthy outlook on your children and parenting! Being a mother is the most rewarding (and frustrating) job in our lives. We must remember to stop and smell the roses from time to time!