The Therapy Edit One Thing with Katherine Omerod on letting go of guilt for child-free time
Jun 3, 2022
Katherine Omerod, a writer and author known for her book 'Why Social Media is Ruining Your Life', discusses the importance of reclaiming child-free time without guilt. She shares her unique approach of budgeting time for both kids and parents, emphasizing that brief breaks can actually enhance family dynamics. Katherine reflects on the benefits of multi-generational childcare and contrasts today’s pressure for perfection with past caregiving norms. Ultimately, she encourages mothers to prioritize self-care and enjoy time away.
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Guilt Is Cultural, Not Just Personal
- Modern mothers face more guilt about leaving kids than previous generations due to less embedded village care.
- That cultural shift amplifies fear that short separations will cause long-term harm to children.
Ring-Fence Child-Free Time
- Do schedule regular child-free breaks and protect them like appointments: Katherine and her partner ring-fenced two weeks for themselves each year.
- Use those breaks to reconnect, recharge, and return refreshed for the remaining weeks with your children.
Raised By Grandparents, Gained Skills
- Katherine was largely raised by grandparents and gained lasting skills and close relationships from that time.
- She credits those experiences for practical abilities like knitting and cooking and strong family bonds.
