Paula Peralejo takes to Instagram to talk about ”mom guilt" and how to deal with it.
Her words of encouragement are mostly addressed to stay-at-home moms like her who feel, at times, unsure if they made the right decision.
For Paula, mom to two-year-old Pablo, all that doubt stems from the need to do the right thing for the children.
Each mom—whether she is a stay-at-home mom or an OFW mom or a career mom—has different ways of providing for the family, and, in the case of Paula, these decisions should be respected.
Paula advises to choose based on "the consequences you can live with."
Her Instagram post reads: "Literally following my child. If there's one advice I can give you to take out your 'mom guilt', it's this - make an informed choice, and be confident about it.
"If you know you have to work far away from your child because that's the only way you can provide, then no need to feel guilty or defensive each time someone posts about spending time with her child.
"If you decided to stay at home to raise your child so you have less income, there's no need to feel guilty or defensive when someone posts breathtaking trips or stuff you cannot afford.
"If I can be very honest here, I think we only feel guilty or defensive WHEN we are not sure or confident with our WHYs.
"I decided to focus on my child - what are the consequences of that? Less income for one.
"Apart from that, I also am judged.
"In this modern world, it seems it's never enough to be 'JUST' a mom - we always have to be something else.
"We always have to prove we are this and that, successful here and there.
"I have decided not to go that path, and for sure some look down on this.
"Do I care? Nope.
"Do I have to defend and speak up about this all the time? Won't bother. Because I know my WHY.
"I believe in my purpose, and I find this responsibility in parenting an honor, really - to have that opportunity to be part of raising a human being and could possibly be part of shaping the future.
"In social media, you'll always feel 'defensive' if you choose to see things from your own issues.
"All our choices have consequences - so choose ones (whatever it is) with consequences you can live with. [thumbs-up emoji] #RealTalk"