Episode 12 - The Guilt Trap: How to Give Yourself Grace After a Hard Parenting Moment

There is a moment that comes after the house finally goes quiet.

The day is over, but your mind is not. You replay what you said, how you said it, and the look on your child’s face when things went sideways.

In this episode of Raise Strong, we talk about the kind of guilt that shows up for caring, thoughtful parents. The kind that lingers long after the moment has passed. The kind that makes you question yourself instead of helping you reconnect.

This conversation is about why guilt feels so heavy in parenting, how it quietly keeps parents stuck, and what actually helps it release. Spoiler: it is not punishing yourself or promising to do better tomorrow. It is repair.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Why guilt shows up so strongly for parents who care deeply
2. The difference between guilt and shame, and why that distinction matters
3. What children actually need after a hard moment
4. How repair restores safety and connection without undermining authority
5. Common repair mistakes that keep guilt alive
6. Simple, grounded phrases you can use to reconnect
7. How to offer yourself the same grace you want your child to receive

This episode is for you if:

1. You replay parenting moments long after they’re over
2. You worry that one hard moment caused lasting damage
3. You hold yourself to high standards and feel crushed when you miss the mark
4. You want to model accountability without shame
5. You want to strengthen your relationship with your child, not just “do better”

Parenting is not about never getting overwhelmed.

It’s about knowing how to come back when you do.

Grace is not letting yourself off the hook.

Grace is what allows you to return, repair, and reconnect.

Resources:

• Stop Saying “Hurry Up.”Say This Instead. - https://alexandersonkahl.com/hurry-up/
• Calm Down Corner Essentials - https://bit.ly/48WbUUh
• 7 Simple Phrases to Help Your Child Calm Down Without Power Struggles - Download your FREE guide now! - AlexAndersonKahl.com/7-simple-phrases
• Visit Our Website - AlexAndersonKahl.com
• The Meltdown Map: 5 Steps to Handle your Child's Big Emotions - AlexAndersonKahl.com/meltdown-map

🎧 Next week on Raise Strong:

Episode 13 – Nonviolent Communication 101: Simple Phrases to End the Whining Cycle

We’ll talk about how language shapes behavior and the small shifts that reduce power struggles and whining in everyday moments.

If this episode resonated with you, please like, subscribe, or leave a review. It helps more parents find these conversations.

You’re not failing.

You’re learning.

And your willingness to come back matters more than you...