Guilt trips – a mother’s every day journey!

Being a mother is a blessing. The Universe considers us worthy and bestows us with motherhood. It is an opportunity to cherish, a special feeling and a responsibility that deserves our best. I feel, no reason or situation can be so grave that we compromise on this right; it is also about self temperament and self management.

It may happen at times that we find ourselves, getting obsessed over a petty issue with our child. We scold, we reprimand, we punish, and we show big scary eyes? We (includes me) may do it intentionally or unintentionally.

But at the end of every such act if we pause and look back; in the case of 99% of the matters a firm tone and a strong pitch perhaps could have helped tackle the issue better. With this method the child understands and you are saved from the guilt trip, which follows, a trip that we perhaps take because of the ineffective ways that we choose to make our child perfect. I am sharing some of my learning and observations as a mom, things which have helped me to be less frequent on guilt trips.

1. Why parents scold and misbehave?

Stephen Covey – Circle of Influence theory

One of my all time favourite books, it says there are two types of situations – One that comes in our circle of influence and the others which are beyond our control. Circle of influence mainly includes the actions through which we have an ability to influence the outcome, like our reaction to an action, rather than the action of another person. Now put this in perspective with your child. Our child is with us and approachable, naive and timid. The things which are not in our circle of influence, say a traffic jam, or a rainy day, or the maid not turning up, these may irritate us and as our reaction, we may vent out our irritation on the child for no fault of hers.

A common statement in such situations– “I am having a bad day so please don’t nag me.”

2. Impatience with life goals

Lack of acceptance and unimaginable aspirations may create impatience. We may feel we are almost stationary with our time rearing our child while others are moving up the hierarchy. This may make our child look like a road block. Little did I realise that it is just a matter of patience and time till they grow up, independent, giving us all the time in the world to pursue our dreams!

A common statement in such situations – “This is not what I was meant to do. I am a qualified MBA and here I am feeding and cleaning poo.”

3. Unnecessary association of situations

It may happen sometimes that smaller acts are made into bigger causes of unpleasant situations. Say for instance you are at a relative’s place and your 4-year old child broke a showpiece. A small act of lifting it out of curiosity and dropping it due to a small slip from his tiny hands, gets stretched to we concluding that the child is growing to being careless, to live a wreck less life because he is spoilt by his grandparents, doubting that these are early signs that he will become someone irresponsible, probably a gangster! When I reflect on such situations, I ask myself, why associate so much when everything is so simple and natural about it? Their palms are small and it slipped off.

A common statement in such situations – “I don’t think I should take you to parties and dinners. Look at your behaviour, you are always embarrassing me.”

For us it could be an unintentional spontaneous act, however imagine its impact on the child, it could be long standing and could affect the way the child handles his/her life.

Impact of the above on the child!

Child is stressed

The child may develop a self doubt and anxiety as she pre-empts reactions from his/her parents and fears the consequences well before something actually happens.

Child’s common thoughts in such situations – “I guess this will upset mom and I better not do it. Papa may also shout at me.” (While he wants to finger paint)!

This may breed in a negative environment for the child

The lenses with which a child may see the external world may just get distorted. A child is soft hearted, and tender and may come to believe that this is how the world is supposed to be. A child may not see the brighter side and this may breed in negativity around the child.

Child’s common thoughts in such situations post being shunned– “When I grow big I will show him. He will have to listen to me.” (While the child is dealing with his/her sibling)!

Child may feel unwanted

At an early age this thought does not occur to her because she is not mature enough but gradually she may develop a feeling that she is not wanted. Constant arguments, yelling, overreactions may lead them to believe so.

Child’s common thoughts in such situations – “I think papa was angry with me because he got late to office due to me” (While the father is dropping the child to school in a jiffy and asked the child to sit quietly with an angry tone)

Child may even enters into an unpleasant state

Jumping on the sofa, spilling something, peeing in the pants do not appear as big things to the child but they do feel so when a parent expresses frustration and resentment, sometimes, the child may even be shocked. She loses the sense of differentiation between what matters and what doesn’t.

Child’s common thoughts in such situations – “I was just having fun. Oops I have dirtied the house.” (While he has put his dad’s shoes to feel big and dirtied the floor)

Child envies others who are raised in love and warmth

I personally feel sad as I state this point here reflecting on various situations. Child sympathises herself and feels deprived of a world of love and affection. She seeks these positive emotions in her parent and when she is rudely sidelined she may be heartbroken.

Child’s common thoughts in such situations– “Tanya is so lucky. Her mom kissed her on the forehead and spoke to her so nicely when she left her meal incomplete.” (While they are enjoying a group outing with mommies)

So here I was asking myself- Why feel guilty? Repeat and feel guilty again and again and again. Why are my self-resolutions not strong enough? I think these lyrics of this track from ‘Taare Zameen Par’ best capture my thoughts today

‘Dekho Inhein Yeh Hai Onss Ki Boodein

Patto Ki Goodh Mein Aasamaan Se Khude

Angdai Le Phir Karwat Badal Kar

Nazuk Se Moti Hasde Phisal Kar

Kho Na Jayee YehTaare Zameen Par’

Are you as a mother also riding those guilt trips like I did? If yes, what have you done to reduce these guilt trips? How do you handle stress filled situations? Please share your views and inputs in the comments section and make it a fruitful blog for all of us moms who are constantly striving to remain calm and loving for our children.