10 Common Mommy Guilts Turned Mommy Mantras

Mommy guilt. Although not partial to mothers, parents are affected by this phenomenon from day 1 (sometimes even before that!!!), and the verdict is still out on if it ever goes away. The positive news is that if you suffer from mommy guilt, that's a pretty good sign that you are a caring parent because you are even worried in the first place.

I decided to turn to my friends for the reasons they felt mommy guilt. I'd like to thank each and every one of you for sharing what makes you feel guilty as a parent - I know sometimes it's hard to verbalize and almost makes you feel worse. I was amazed by the sheer amount of responses I got - y'all, mommy guilt doesn't mess around, nor is it partial to one group of people versus another! Mommy guilt is an equal opportunity employer.

I'm big into positivity these days, and I truly believe that the way that you think about things has a direct relationship to how things turn out. So I took 10 of the most common mommy guilts that I heard and gave them a new more empowering spin.

1. I have to take my child to daycare. My child learning to be independent of me and making new friends.

2. My child is an only child, and I'm afraid he's lonely. My child will learn to be fiercely creative. 

3. I'm not breastfeeding my child for whatever reason. I feed my child with love, and because of my struggles with breastfeeding, I truly cherish the moments I feed her. 

4. We don't have money for all the new, neat toys. My child will not be dependent on affluent things to live happily. 

5. I divorced/left my child's father and am remarrying. My child will have an additional set of adults (stepfather and step grandparents) to love and teach him. 

6. I have to put my child in the bouncer for 15 minutes while I prep dinner/check email/shower, and she's not happy about it. My child is learning to play by herself.

7. I'm having a new baby, and I'm feeling guilty about sharing my love with another child. I am giving my child a friend for life by giving him a sibling. 

8. I have to work and feel like I'm missing out on things with my child. I am teaching my child the importance of work ethic and showing him that you have to work in order to get something. 

9. I say "no" to things that my child wants or things my child wants to do. I am teaching my child that she can't always get everything she wants. 

10. I'm a stay-at-home mom, and there are some days I hate it. I am so involved and dedicated in raising my children that some days I need a well-deserved break, just like someone who works a traditional job needs a vacation. 

Next time you feel a mommy guilt rearing it's ugly head, blast it out with a positive mantra. There's always going to be something that we feel bad about as a parent, and we have to be positive and confident that we are doing what's best for our kids.