Metro Atlanta schools help parents let go of ‘mom guilt’

Although “mom guilt” is a relatively new term, the anxious feelings that you aren’t doing enough for your child has been around for decades. Responsibilities at work and at home keep parents in a constant balancing act, often wondering whether they’re doing enough for their children.

To combat this perception and reassure good parents that they are doing well, Primrose Schools celebrates National Working Parents Day by giving five unsuspecting Atlanta-area working moms a heartwarming surprise — and it was all caught on hidden cameras.

Family and career responsibilities often mean working parents are in constant motion. And, in today’s social media-centric world, they compare themselves to idealistic standards which creates added pressure about doing enough or doing it “right.” Despite having, arguably, the most important jobs in the world, working mothers in particular underestimate their own abilities:

“It's evident that today’s working parents really struggle with feelings of guilt,” says Lynn Louise Wonders, an early childhood development and parenting expert. “Social media amplifies these emotions by compelling parents to constantly compare themselves to others. The best thing we can do to empower today’s parents is help them redirect that energy and focus on what they’re doing right, like nurturing positive character traits in their children.”

With nearly 400 schools across the country, Primrose schools see parental guilt every day, but they also see children who are deeply and positively impacted by loving parents who are doing a great job. Under the guise of a market research study, they presented the women with testimonials from teachers and loved ones telling them how appreciated they are and what good mothers they are.

“Initially, I thought they had the wrong mom,” said Maria Reid, a registered nurse and mother of four who is currently expecting her fifth child. “I was in utter disbelief. Aside from my husband and kids, I don’t hear ‘good job’ or ‘keep up the great work.’ I left the experience feeling like I was floating on clouds. I felt important, empowered and encouraged!”

And to spread that message to even more parents, the schools are offering tokens of appreciation this week.

Wednesday at Primrose School of Roswell North, the school provided parents with a special dinner to-go of chicken Parmesan, Italian bread and vegetables prepared by the school’s chef.

On Friday morning Primrose School of Peachtree Corners will greet parents with a grab-and-go breakfast and encouraging note from pre-K students. During the day, teachers will send videos of older students describing why they love their parents so much and photos of younger students writing “I love you, Mommy,” and “Daddy.” During pick-up time, the school will host a “Happy Hour” with a homemade dinner to-go and a special note delivered by students dressed as little chefs.

“As working parents ourselves, we know how stressful it can be to work all day, pick up your children and rush to prepare a nutritious dinner for your family,” said Lynn Manning, franchise owner of Primrose School of Roswell North. “To celebrate Working Parents Day, we chose to provide parents with a meal to-go to take one thing off their to-do lists and show how much we appreciate them.”

Simon Edwards, franchise owner of Primrose School of Peachtree Corners agreed.

“At Primrose, we want to teach our students the value of showing appreciation and giving encouragement, even to their own parents,” he said. “By providing to-go breakfast and dinner today and sending parents sweet videos from their children in honor of Working Parents Day, we’re letting parents know their efforts are recognized and appreciated. Our parents give their all both at work and at home, and we see it every day.”

View the video here.