If you’re a mom, chances are you’ve felt it. The sting of judgment, the unsolicited advice, the subtle (and not-so-subtle) side-eyes from strangers, relatives, or even other parents.
Stay at home with your kids? You’ve “given up on your career.” Put your child in daycare while you work? You’re “letting someone else raise your baby.”
We live in a world where parents, especially mothers, are constantly navigating a minefield of impossible expectations. You're supposed to be fully devoted to your children, but also fully committed to your career. You’re expected to be present, patient, always available, while also somehow having a spotless house, prepped meals, and a thriving professional and personal life. No matter what you do, someone will tell you you’re doing it wrong.
It’s exhausting.
The Reality of Mom Guilt in Modern Parenting
Let’s talk about the real problem: these double standards aren’t just frustrating, they’re harmful. They pit parents against each other, fuel guilt and shame, and isolate the very people who need community the most.
I recently saw a post on social media calling out many of the double standards in all aspects of parenting.
Breastfeeding? “Oh, you think you’re better than everyone!”; Use formula? “Breastmilk milk is better, you’re lazy!”
Unmedicated birth? “You know the end result is the same, right?”; Epidural? “You took the easy way out!”
Sleep training? “You’re neglecting your baby!”; No sleep training? “You're creating unhealthy attachment!”
No screen time? “They’re going to be around screens all the time when they’re older. You’re not protecting them!”; Allowing screen time? “You’re rotting their brains!”
If it feels like you can’t win, it’s because you’re playing an impossible game!
Time and time again I feel the mom guilt for decisions we’ve made for our family. Our son goes to daycare during the work week and is THRIVING. Yet when people ask about it the responses range from a simple “oh” to “well that’s okay” as if I asked for feedback. Instantly, I feel a wave of guilt and sadness. I’d love nothing more than to stay home with him everyday, but I work full-time. I’m quickly reassured when I see how happy and fulfilled my son is everyday and that’s what matters most to me, not other people’s opinions.
How Simple Steps Market Removes One Source of Mom Guilt
Being parents is wonderful, beautiful, messy and filled with so much love and joy. It’s also tiring and hard. When you add in the outside judgement and pressure to be perfect it’s downright exhausting.
On top of the standard parenting pressure, we struggled to find safe, non-toxic baby products we could trust without spending hours researching every label or reading through thousands of reviews. Who has time for that?
That’s why we created Simple Steps Market, a curated resource for parents who want peace of mind. Whether you’re a working parent, a stay-at-home parent, or doing a little bit of everything (because let’s face it, most of us are), you deserve tools that make your life easier, not harder.
We do the research for you and recommend safe, non-toxic baby products that are made without harmful ingredients because you shouldn’t have to worry about what’s in your baby’s shampoo or whether that teether is full of chemicals. You should be able to focus on what really matters: raising your child in a way that works for your family.
Parents Deserve Better
The truth is, there’s no one “right” way to parent. What works for one family might not work for another, and that’s okay. You’re allowed to make choices that support your family’s well-being, mental health, and values.
Let’s stop pretending there’s a perfect formula and start supporting each other instead. Let’s uplift the mom who’s returning to work with a breast pump in her bag. Let’s stand with the dad who’s taking paternity leave and doing the school drop-offs. Let’s respect the stay-at-home mom who’s dedicating every ounce of energy to raising her children.
Parenting is hard enough. We don’t need judgment. We need community. We need honesty. We need safe, helpful resources that make the load just a little lighter.
That’s what we’re building at Simple Steps Market. Come join us.
Tired of researching every baby product while juggling mom guilt? Browse our expert-vetted collection of safe baby essentials, because you deserve one less thing to worry about.
Every baby deserves the best start, and every parent deserves support, not judgment.
