Episode 37: A Parent's Guide to Guilt, Shame & How to Heal
Episode Description
In this emotionally impactful episode of Don’t Waste the Chaos, we dive into the deep, often hidden struggles that working parents face: guilt and shame. Our guest, Karen Brooks, brings over 20 years of experience working with at-risk youth, survivors of sexual assault, and now, as a life coach for adolescent girls. We unpack the origins of working parent guilt, how it affects relationships with children, and what strategies can help parents reclaim peace and balance. If you’re a working parent or want to better understand the emotional toll it can take, this episode is filled with insight, compassion, and actionable advice to help you move forward with self-compassion.
Tune in to hear:
What "working parent guilt and shame" really means and how it shows up in daily life
Common triggers that lead to feelings of guilt and shame among working parents
How guilt and shame affect a parent's relationship with their children and overall well-being
The role societal expectations and cultural norms play in making these feelings worse
Real-life examples of how parents manage these emotions and their long-term impact on children
How to recognize when guilt or shame is becoming toxic to your mental and emotional health
Practical strategies and tools to manage, overcome, and release guilt and shame as a working parent
The critical importance of self-compassion and ways to cultivate it in your life Advice for working parents struggling to find balance between work and home
Guest Information: Karen Brooks, MSW, PCC, is a certified life coach specializing in the development of adolescent girls, with decades of experience in trauma care, mental health, and advocacy. Karen's passion is helping parents and teens alike overcome emotional challenges and lead more empowered lives.
Find Karen at https://guidedgrowthteencoaching.com/ or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-brooks-guidedgrowth/
Resources mentioned:
Try Magicmind, the productivity elixir Kerri swears by: https://magicmind.com/kerriroberts to get money off your first order. Looking for a new daily vitamin? Get GEM: go to dailygem.co and use code GEM-A-KERRIROBERTS for money off your first order.
Join our weekly newsletter:
HR and Operations insights for business professionals: https://www.saltandlightadvisors.com/contact
Women looking to expand professionally and personally: https://www.saltandlightforwomen.com/contact
Connect on IG:
Check out Don't Waste the Chaos on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Ikyi0-jxcAI?si=7eR8I6YZll-lYI7i
Visit our website: www.dontwastethechaos.com
Don't Waste the Chaos, Embrace It!
Self-compassion isn't something you master once — it's a practice working parents return to daily, and the Monday newsletter keeps showing up in your corner: saltandlight.myflodesk.com/saltandlightadvisors
—
Want more like this?
✉️ Subscribe to the newsletter — Weekly HR insights for founders, in your inbox every Monday.
👉 saltandlight.myflodesk.com/saltandlightadvisors
🎯 Take the free HR Audit — Score your HR systems in 5 minutes and see exactly where your gaps are.
👉 saltandlightadvisors.com/hraudit
📖 Get The HR Easy Button — Kerri's book on building HR systems that actually work for small businesses.
🎙️ Catch up on Don't Waste the Chaos — The podcast for small business owners building strong people operations.
—
Interested in having Kerri on your podcast or stage?
