Approaching Parent Guilt with Psychological Flexibility

In this podcast episode, Dr. Diana Hill and Dr. Emma Waddington explore the topic of parental guilt, specifically focusing on working parent guilt. They discuss the challenges of balancing multiple roles and feeling torn between work and parenting responsibilities. Dr. Waddington shares her personal experience as a busy working mom and the guilt she carries. Through the lens of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), they discuss the importance of not trying to eliminate parent guilt but rather develop psychological flexibility to hold it differently. They introduce the concept of the hexaflex, a dance around the six core processes of ACT, to cultivate flexibility and self-compassion. They also emphasize the significance of recognizing and embracing the sadness underlying parent guilt. Finally, they explore the connection between guilt, frustration, and sadness, along with the role of values in guiding actions in alignment with one's priorities.