3. Guilt Versus Shame: What Helps and What Hinders Us as Parents
In this third episode of the Guilty Parent Club, Dr Jo takes us deeper into the inner workings of our ‘parent brains’, exploring why we so often find ourselves caught up in guilt and even shame when it comes to raising our children. Building on the previous discussions around emotional regulation and the science behind our reactions, Jo untangles the evolutionary and psychological roots of these feelings.
Join Dr Jo as she sheds light on the difference between guilt and shame, explains how our brains respond in moments of stress, and why these responses are much more common, and much less our ‘fault’, than we might think. She also offers a glimpse into the 6P key framework that helps parents break free from unhelpful cycles.
Key topics covered:
- How our brains’ threat mode is triggered by parenting stress and external (as well as internal) pressures
- The difference between guilt and shame, and why shame can be so toxic for parents
- Evolutionary reasons behind guilt and its role in keeping us connected and safe within our social ‘pack’
- The impact of constant guilt and shame on our mental health and parenting approaches
- A brief introduction to practical strategies for emotional regulation, with more to come in upcoming episodes
If this episode resonated with you, consider joining the Guilty Parent Club for exclusive content and practical resources. For more information, visit drjothepsychologist.com/guiltyparentclub.
Thank you for listening!
Don't forget to download the workbook that accompanies this podcast series here.
I'm Dr Jo Mueller, and I'm a Clinical Psychologist on a crusade to help as many parents as I can feel more confident in parenting your child in a human, imperfect way. Find out more about me and The Guilty Parent Club here.
The Guilty Parent Club: where good enough really is good enough.
Music credit: Joseph McDade