Using Guilt as a Signal
Guilt isn’t meant to shame you—it can lead you to grace.
So many parents carry guilt like a heavy backpack—over the meals skipped, the moments missed, the words we wish we could take back. But what if we flipped the script?
Instead of seeing guilt as proof we’re failing, we can see it as a signal—an invitation to pause and partner with God. 2 Corinthians 12:9 reminds us that His strength shows up best in our weakness. We don’t have to be perfect to be powerful parents.
In Episode #297 of the Crazy Cool Family podcast, Suz is joined by 3 of her 4 daughters – all who have littles and are figuring out how to walk out their identity as a mom. The topic of guilt is hard to broach because it often partners with shame. They unpack what the enemy tries to do with the guilt we feel as parents AND what God wants to give us instead.
Here are 4 Crazy Cool Concepts. Take a moment and read them. Pick 1 you will declare over yourself anytime you feel guilty today. Allow God to breathe truth into your parenting today.
- Parents are beloved sons and daughters of God first. Our relationship with God is our most important relationship in our family.
- The strength of our parenting will come from the strength of our relationship with the father.
- You are the best parent for your children- God chose you to be their parents, It was no accident.
- Gods power in our lives turns the bad days into great ones.
- As we heal the wounds of our hearts we start to believe differently about our lives.
Lastly, here’s a tip from McKenzie Reaume, the 4th Manning daughter on how to battle Parent Guilt.
Try this mindset shift: Instead of starting the day at 100% and feeling like you’re losing points every time you “mess up,” imagine starting at 0% and gaining moments of connection, growth, and grace as the day unfolds—with God walking beside you.
