The Mum Guilt Diaries: Why We Need to Stop Saying Sorry

“Sorry the house is a mess.”

“Sorry he’s watching TV again.”

“Sorry I gave her toast for dinner… three nights in a row.”

Sound familiar?

Welcome to The Mum Guilt Diaries – where the apologies are constant, the expectations are sky-high, and the mental load is heavier than your overpacked nappy bag.

But here’s the truth bomb we all need to hear: you don’t need to keep saying sorry. You’re doing your best, and frankly, that’s more than enough.

 

The Sorry Spiral

Mum guilt is like that clingy bit of weetbix welded to the highchair. No matter how hard you scrub, it just won’t budge.

You feel it when:

• You drop your baby at daycare with a rushed cuddle and a quick wave.

• You hand over the iPad just so you can shower in peace.

• You rock up to playgroup in mismatched socks and three-day-old dry shampoo.

And what do we do?

We say sorry. Again. And again. And again.

But why?

 

The Invisible Pressure Cooker

We live in a world of highlight reels. Picture-perfect Insta mums whipping up organic meals in spotless homes while their cherubs do Montessori puzzles in Scandinavian loungewear.

Meanwhile, you’re over here:

• Holding a cold coffee in one hand and a baby who’s teething and overtired in the other

• Wondering if crackers and hummus count as a balanced lunch

• Googling “how to get poo out of the carpet” while rocking a pram with your foot

It’s no wonder we feel like we’re not measuring up. But the truth? Most mums are in the same boat – paddling madly beneath the surface, trying to keep their tiny humans alive and maybe get through the day without crying into a laundry basket.

 

Daycare Drop-Offs & Screen Time Slips

Let’s talk about two major guilt triggers:

🚗 Daycare Drop-Offs

It doesn’t matter if it’s once a week or five days – leaving your little one can make you feel like you’ve handed over your heart in a nappy. But here’s the thing:

You’re not abandoning them. You’re supporting them.

Daycare is a space for learning, socialising, and developing confidence (and if we’re honest… it’s often where they have the best naps).

📺 Screen Time

Yes, the World Health Organisation has its guidelines. But you know what? So does your sanity.

If a bit of Bluey gives you 20 minutes to drink a hot tea, get dinner sorted, or just lie on the floor and scroll TikTok – that’s okay. You’re a human, not a superhero.

 

Let’s Flip the Script

Imagine if, instead of apologising, we said:

• “Thanks for understanding the chaos – this is what real life looks like!”

• “We had a big day, so yes, it’s toast again. And she loves it.”

• “He’s watching TV right now because I’m taking a much-needed moment for me.”

Sounds better, right?

 

Here’s Your Permission Slip, Mama

You’re allowed to:

✅ Ask for help

✅ Prioritise your mental health

✅ Let the baby nap in the pram while you walk with a podcast

✅ Celebrate the little wins (like everyone brushing their teeth today)

✅ Choose convenience over perfection

And most of all: you’re allowed to do motherhood your way.

 

One Last Thing…

If your little one is loved, safe, and growing in a home where you’re doing your best – that’s more than enough.

So let’s tear a page out of The Mum Guilt Diaries and rewrite it with kindness, grace, and a whole lot less “sorry”.

You’re not just enough – you’re incredible. Even if your toddler’s wearing undies on their head and calling it a hat.

👊 You’ve got this, mama.