The Guilt No One Warns You About: A Mother’s Companion - Geelong Therapy

Let’s talk about something that so often lingers just beneath the surface of motherhood:
Guilt.

It creeps in quietly, sometimes from the very first days. A decision, a reaction, a feeling — and suddenly there it is.

“I should be more grateful.”
“I should be more present.”
“I shouldn’t have snapped.”
“Maybe I’m not doing this right.”

At Nurture Geelong, we hear these words again and again from mothers of all stages — new mums, second-time mums, mums of toddlers and teens. The guilt is real. But more importantly, you’re not alone in feeling it.

Where Does This Guilt Come From?

Guilt in motherhood isn’t just personal — it’s cultural. We live in a society that sets impossible standards for mothers:
💭 Be fully present, but also productive.
💭 Be gentle, but also firm.
💭 Prioritise your children, but don’t lose yourself.
💭 Breastfeed, but not in public. Work, but not too soon. Rest, but not too much.

These double standards are exhausting. And when we inevitably fall short (because we’re human), guilt sneaks in.

The Many Faces of Mum Guilt

Guilt in motherhood can show up in ways that are subtle, or heavy, or both:

• The Stay-at-Home Mum Guilt: “I should be contributing more.”

• The Working Mum Guilt: “I’m missing out on their childhood.”

• The Screen Time Guilt: “Too many cartoons today.”

• The Yelling Guilt: “I lost it. Again.”

• The Self-Care Guilt: “Was that massage selfish?”

• The Comparison Guilt: “That mum seems to have it all together.”

Sound familiar?

Let’s Be Clear: Guilt ≠ Failing

Here’s the thing: guilt is often a sign that you care deeply.
It’s a reflection of your desire to do your best, to love well, to raise your children in a way that feels meaningful. But guilt left unchecked doesn’t make us better mothers — it makes us feel stuck, ashamed, and overwhelmed.

What If We Gave Ourselves Grace Instead?

Here’s what we believe at Nurture Geelong:

💛 You are allowed to be human.
💛 You can love your children and still need space.
💛 You can make mistakes and still be a good mum.
💛 You can change your mind, lose your cool, say sorry, and grow.

Guilt is not the measure of your worth as a mother. Love is.

You Don’t Have to Carry It All

To the mothers of Geelong and beyond: if guilt is sitting heavy on your shoulders, we see you.

You are not failing.
You are not alone.
And you are more than enough.

Let’s talk about the guilt — not to feed it, but to free you from it.

With warmth and understanding,
The Nurture Geelong Team