Moms, You Are Doing A Better Job Than You Think! (10 Lies You’re Told) #478

Summary

Calm Parenting Podcast Summary: "Moms, You Are Doing A Better Job Than You Think! (10 Lies You’re Told)" #478

Host: Kirk Martin
Release Date: May 11, 2025
Description: Celebrate Calm Founder Kirk Martin empowers over a million parents and teachers worldwide with practical strategies to manage challenging behaviors in children, fostering calm environments free from power struggles and defiance.

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Introduction

In episode #478 of the Calm Parenting Podcast, titled "Moms, You Are Doing A Better Job Than You Think! (10 Lies You’re Told)", host Kirk Martin and co-host Casey delve deep into the emotional landscape of motherhood. This episode aims to uplift and validate mothers by debunking common misconceptions and societal pressures that often lead to self-doubt and guilt.

Main Message: You're Doing Better Than You Think

From the outset, Casey passionately addresses the pervasive self-criticism many mothers endure. She emphasizes that mothers are significantly tougher on themselves than necessary and often overlook their own well-being in the pursuit of their children's comfort and happiness.

Notable Quote:
"Deep down inside you are doing a better job than you think." ([01:15])

Casey highlights the unrealistic expectations placed on modern mothers compared to previous generations, underscoring the unique challenges faced today, especially for those raising strong-willed or neurodiverse children.

The 10 Lies Moms Are Told

Casey identifies and dismantles ten prevalent lies and false expectations that burden mothers. Each lie is explored with empathy, practical insights, and personal anecdotes to foster a sense of validation and empowerment.

1. "You Just Coddle Your Child."

Explanation:
Often, when mothers act as referees in their households—balancing their children's needs against other stressors like a partner's negativity—they are wrongly accused of coddling. In reality, they are protecting their children from external negativity.

Notable Quote:
"You are coddling or babying your husband because he can't control himself. That is not your fault." ([06:15])

2. "You Must Be Doing Something Wrong Because Your Kids Misbehave."

Explanation:
Misbehavior in children, especially those with conditions like ADHD or ASD, is not a reflection of a mother's parenting skills. Children have inherent traits that require understanding and tailored strategies.

Notable Quote:
"You did nothing wrong... they're okay. You're a good mom." ([06:50])

3. "I Should Be Doing More."

Explanation:
The relentless pursuit of perfection leads mothers to believe they must constantly achieve more. Casey encourages moms to recognize their inherent worth and the sufficiency of their efforts.

Notable Quote:
"You are worthy of being respected, loved, and accepted just as you are." ([07:30])

4. "I Feel Like I'm Bothering People When I Ask for Help."

Explanation:
Mothers often hesitate to seek assistance, fearing they're imposing on others. Casey reassures them that asking for help is both acceptable and necessary, breaking free from ingrained patterns of self-reliance born from childhood.

Notable Quote:
"You are worthy of having people do good things for you." ([08:15])

5. "You're Not a Bad Mom if Your Kids Don't Fit Conventional Norms."

Explanation:
Societal expectations about children’s activities and behaviors can create undue pressure. Whether children excel in team sports or prefer solitary activities, their unique paths are valid and commendable.

Notable Quote:
"You're not doing something wrong, moms." ([10:00])

6. "You Are Under Constant Judgment."

Explanation:
Mothers are often subjected to relentless scrutiny from various quarters—family, educators, and even social media. Casey likens this to having multiple bosses, urging mothers to trust their instincts and disregard unwarranted judgments.

Notable Quote:
"Imagine going to work at an office and you have like six different bosses critiquing every decision you make. That's what often happens to moms." ([16:00])

7. "It's Okay to Expect Emotional and Physical Safety in Your Relationship."

Explanation:
Mothers deserve to feel safe and respected, especially in intimate relationships. Setting boundaries and refusing to be coerced are acts of self-respect, not dishonor.

Notable Quote:
"You are demonstrating self-respect and expecting to be treated with respect." ([17:30])

8. "Setting Boundaries with Your Parents is Not Dishonoring Them."

Explanation:
Establishing clear boundaries with one's own parents to protect one's family is a legitimate and necessary act. It ensures that the home remains a safe and respectful environment for children.

Notable Quote:
"You are not being a disrespectful or rebellious daughter if you stand your ground." ([18:15])

9. "Being a Mom Means Unwavering Vigilance and Sacrifice."

Explanation:
The episode touches on the unique emotional bonds between mothers and their children, especially in times of familial stress like divorce. Mothers often embody the role of unwavering support, sometimes bearing the brunt of children's frustrations.

Notable Quote:
"Mom means home and safety for so many of us." ([20:45])

10. "Moms Are Heroes Breaking Generational Patterns."

Explanation:
Mothers today are actively working to dismantle harmful generational patterns and traumas, showcasing immense bravery and resilience. This transformative work is the cornerstone of their heroic status.

Notable Quote:
"You are breaking generational patterns. You are learning how to find that voice. That is heroic work." ([21:15])

Personal Anecdotes: A Tribute to Mothers

Towards the end of the episode, Casey shares a heartfelt tribute to her own mother, highlighting both her strengths and vulnerabilities. She recounts memories that emphasize her mother's unwavering love, resilience in the face of adversity, and the deep, unspoken bonds that define maternal relationships.

Notable Quote:
"She listened. She loved. She laughed. If you were having a bad day, you could call my mom. She'd talk to you and you'd hang up feeling better about yourself and your life." ([22:45])

Casey's story underscores the profound impact mothers have on their children, not through perfection, but through genuine love and presence.

Conclusion: Embracing Your Worth as a Mother

Kirk and Casey conclude the episode with a powerful affirmation of a mother's value. They reiterate that despite the challenges and societal pressures, mothers are doing an extraordinary job. The message serves as a beacon of encouragement, urging mothers to recognize their strength, embrace their imperfections, and continue the invaluable work they do every day.

Final Affirmation:
"Moms like you are heroes to me. I am so freaking proud of you." ([22:46])

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This episode of the Calm Parenting Podcast is a heartfelt ode to mothers everywhere, offering solace, validation, and empowerment. By addressing common insecurities and debunking harmful myths, Kirk Martin and Casey provide a supportive space for mothers to acknowledge their immense contributions and embrace their inherent worth.

Transcript

[Kirk Martin]

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[Co-Host]

I really want you to know this. Deep down inside you are doing a better job than you think. You are so tough on yourself. You're always so worried about your kids comfort. Darn it, let's focus on yours. Wrap yourself in the luxury and softness of cozy Earth sheets, pajamas, towels and casual wear. You will sleep and feel so much better especially when you get 40% [e-mail] calm and use code Calm. Look, it is so much easier being the mom you want to be when you are relaxed and rested. And I know this sounds funny but when we slip into our Cozy Earth Bamboo casual wear in the evening it's like stress just vanishes and we sleep so much better in our Cozy Earth Bamboo pajamas and sheets because they are ultra soft and temperature regulating. Be bold moms. Ask for or just go get cozy Earth pajamas and sheets for yourself for Mother's Day. And to celebrate moms everywhere just go to cozyearth.com use code CALM to get 40% off best selling sheets, towels, pajamas and more because you deserve the best. That's cozyearth.com calm with code calm for 40% off moms, I really want you to know this. You are doing a way better job as a mom than you think you are than you give yourself credit for. You constantly second guess yourself and no wonder. You're doing the hardest job on the planet while being observed and judged by the people you thought would support you in this. And sometimes you even get undermined or from within your home. You constantly feel the need to take the temperature of the home, and then you get accused of coddling your child, when in fact you're just protecting your child. And yet you keep going. You never stop learning and trying because there's nothing as great and fierce as a mom's love. And you're also a hero because you are breaking generational patterns. You are doing this courageous work inside, and it takes a tremendous amount of emotional, vulner ability to do this. And nobody even knows what you're going through. You're dealing with trauma that no one is even aware of before. And so I'm proud of you for that. So happy Mother's Day to you. Look, I've agonized over this podcast more than any other because I don't want it to be trite or gratuitous or meaningless. But I also don't want to add to your burden with hey moms, here's three more things you can do to be the best mom possible. Because you already carry too many burdens. But I do want you to feel heard. It's partly why I recorded that letter written from Jess from New England a few weeks ago, and I want to take the pressure off of you. So this Mother's Day podcast is going to have four sections to it. I hope you find it encouraging. And for those of you who don't know, this is Kirk Martin, founder of Celebrate Calm. You can find us in our glorious Mother's day [e-mail] so first part. Moms, you are doing a much better job than you think. I want you to know that deep down inside. Because if you ask most moms if they're doing enough or a good enough job as a mom, they will say no. And that's wrong. And I think it's partly just false expectations of what moms are supposed to do and be as we are currently. Right. I remember when Casey was an infant, I took him over to my grandma's apartment and I just laid him on the bed and she just stared at him so sweetly. And I asked my grandma what it was like to raise kids when she did back in the 30s and 40s, and she said, well, we just brought your mom and uncle home and continued with our lives. Kids didn't really talk too much except between themselves. And here's what my mom experienced when she had me. I was the third. Third of four boys. The doctor actually came back in the room and said, nancy, let's have a smoke. They smoke cigarettes right in the maternity room. And her generation of moms did what well, they got together with other moms and they played cards and smoked and watched soap operas while the kids played. And then moms, we kind of made the kids go outside, not come back in until it was dark or, or dinner time. It was completely different. But you are part of a generation in which you as a mom are expected to be responsible for everything. For your child's happiness and choices and successes and failures and moods. 24 7. You feel guilty if your child isn't thriving and it's too much. I want you to know you are a great mom. Look, you're listening to a parenting podcast, right? So you're invested in this and you're a much better mom than you give yourself credit for. Look, you're not a bad mom if you. Look, I just want to go through this because there are so many false expectations placed on you. And if you have a strong willed child, a child with PDA or adhd, add, ocd, odd, spd, asd, then it is just monumentally challenging. And I've worked with over a million families over the past 25 years, so I want you to know this. You are not a bad mom if your kids don't play team sports and get along with other kids their own age. They will gravitate toward individual activities that also tend to meet sensory needs. And they tend to be better in the adult world, not the kid world. You. You're not doing something wrong, moms. You are not a bad mom if your child has massive meltdowns when they get anxious about going to new places. It's normal. You're not a bad mom if your child doesn't have good manners in front of your friends and parents. I don't want you to feel like you have somehow failed your child or. And I don't want you to have to apologize for them. You're not a bad mom if you get calls from school because your child won't sit still in circle time or, or acts silly in class or doesn't follow directions that well. That's normal for our kids. You're not a bad mom if your kids argue and fight and aren't kind to each other. I think it would be weird if they got along really well all the time. You're not a bad mom if your kids complain and they don't act grateful. You're not a bad mom if you have three kids like under the age of seven and your house is constantly a mess and, and your entire day is putting out fires and you never get to check anything off your list. That's how it's supposed to be. Don't listen to the judgment of others. Don't watch all those Instagram accounts where the mom has everything all together. It's not reality. You're not a bad mom if some nights you just can't pull it together so you get takeout or you throw together Mac and cheese for the third straight night. You're not a bad mom if your child is still wearing her Halloween costume and in May, or your child wears the same hoodie for 18 straight days. You're not a bad mom if you send your child to school with processed pre packaged meals or if all they eat is Mac and cheese and chicken nuggets. Just chill with all those expectations. You're not a bad mom if your child lies about washing their hands or brushing their teeth, or if they don't listen to you the first or 12th time. You're not a bad mom if you haven't signed your kids up to learn violin or Mandarin and they don't practice their musical instruments. Most of your strong will kids are not going to practice at sports or their musical instruments. You're not a bad mom if you're overwhelmed and occasionally lose it and yell. That's part of the growing process. You're not a bad mom if your kids don't go to their high school graduation and barely get that diploma, or if they won't apply themselves. And I know you're going to have to grieve that sometimes, but that's not your fault. You didn't do something wrong. You're not a bad mom if your child won't eat everything or anything on their plate, or if you leave dishes and plates in the sink overnight. You hear your mom's voice screaming in your head to clean it up. You're a great mom. You are a great mom, though you shouldn't have to. You constantly take the temperature of the home to make sure your kids are safe and healthy and happy. You sacrifice so they can have things you never had. You get up in the middle of the night even when you're exhausted, to calm their fears and calm their stomachs. And you know, there's nothing as fierce, loyal and relentless as the love of a mother. So I wanted to go through 10 lies and false expectations that I couldn't even say right, but I'm practicing imperfection myself. Moms. Here are 10 lies and false expectations that moms are told or expected to live up to. And I wanted to, as a man, speak very directly about these so you have clarity and hopefully feel heard and validated inside. Not that you need me to validate you. So, number one, here's something your moms are told all the time. Well, you just coddle our children. Sure, maybe you're a little bit too accommodating at times. I get that. But that is usually because you are likely counterbalancing your. Your husband's negativity and yelling. You are forced into a position of being the referee and doing damage control. Then you get told you're coddling the child, when in essence you're actually coddling or babying your husband because he can't control himself. That is not your fault. That is not your responsibility. You are just doing the right thing by protecting your child. And that's a noble thing. So don't let people guilt you over that and make it like it's your issue. Number two. Well, you must be doing something wrong because your kids misbehave. That's a lie. You didn't do something wrong. I get these questions almost every day. Well, what am I doing wrong as a mom? That my kids aren't grateful that the siblings fight? That my child is so intense, that my child has sensory issues? That my child has meltdowns? Nothing. You did nothing wrong. You did not cause these things to happen. Stop being responsible for everybody else's opinion of you and what your child does. This is just who your kids are. They're okay. You're a good mom. Look, for those of you who had the compliant child first, remember, you were like, I am such a good mom. But then you had a more strong willed child. You're like, I don't know what I'm doing. You didn't cause the strong willed child to be like this. It's just who they are. A third lie we hear all the time. I should be doing more. No, I want you to do less. There is no way you will never not be a great mom. Seriously, be confident in that. Well, I need to always be on my game and never take time off in order to be a good mom, a good wife, a good partner. No, that's not true. You are worthy of being respected, loved and accepted just as you are. You have nothing to prove. You have nothing to earn. This is a big one for moms. Number four. Well, I just feel like I'm bothering people when I ask for help. No, no, no. I get so many emails to begin with. Well, I'm sorry to bother you. Why do you think you are bothering people? You're not. How come it's okay for you to do everything for everyone else with such a good attitude. But if you ask for one small thing, you feel like you have to apologize. Now, I know a lot of you, for a lot of you, that's from your childhood and you're courageous because you're facing those patterns and breaking them. So I want you to stop apologizing and know deep inside you are worthy of having people do good things for you. I can say without a doubt one.

[Kirk Martin]

Of the best things we ever did was teach Casey how to manage money.

[Co-Host]

From a young age.

[Kirk Martin]

It has made a huge difference in his daily life. That's why I'm excited that today's episode is sponsored by Acorns Early.

[Co-Host]

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[Kirk Martin]

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[Co-Host]

You know your kids are going to.

[Kirk Martin]

Love this sense of independence while you have parental controls to watch their spending. Using Acorns early is a fantastic, practical tool to show your kids how to delay gratification and manage their own money. Head to acornserly.com calm or download the Acorns early app to help your kids grow their money skills today. That's acornserly.com calm acorns early card is issued by Community Federal Savings bank member FDIC pursuant to license by MasterCard International. Terms and conditions apply. Monthly subscription fees starting from $5 per month unless canceled.

[Co-Host]

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That's drinkag1.com calm you so think about this moms. Here's what's kind of happening. You are doing what many of you consider is the most important job of your lifetime, being a mom, raising kids. And while you are doing it, you are being observed and studied and judged for every little thing that goes wrong, even if it's not your responsibility. You get judged by your own mom and dad, by your siblings, by your in laws, by strangers and teachers and people on Instagram. Imagine going to work at an office and you have like six different bosses who are critiquing and criticizing every single decision you make. No one would put up with that, but that's what often happens to moms. So I want you to trust your instincts and develop a little bit of a more of a kind of like fu attitude toward other people's judgments and society's expectations. Learn to trust that voice inside. Think about this number six. For some moms, it's even worse. Your partner in this is actually undermining all your efforts on a daily basis, right? You spend all this energy and time, like making sure everything's okay, making sure the kids are good, and then your spouse walks in the door and now just blows everything up. Because if you have a spouse who cannot control his emotions, who yells and reacts and escalates, not only do you have to clean up the emotional messes, your work is being undermined. Would your husband like it if you went to his office and started yelling at his colleagues and creating drama there? Well, he'd be furious that you're undermining his work and company culture and preventing him from getting a promotion. So let him know that. Listen to the May 2 episode about how to get husbands on board because you need help, not a critic. Number seven. You are not wrong to expect to feel emotionally and physically safe before being intimately vulnerable with your spouse. You shouldn't be guilted or coerced into doing something if you're not being treated with respect. You're not weaponizing a damn thing. You're demonstrating self respect and expecting to be treated with well. Don't let people manipulate you. Learn to trust your internal voice again, even if that voice was not listened to or respected as a child. Number eight. It is not dishonoring your parents to create very clear boundaries with them and say no when they are not acting appropriately around your kids or in Your home. Don't allow those accusing voices and guilt to cause you to continue this pattern of being bullied and manipulated by your parents. For some of you, this is very, very strong. If you grew up like I did, in a religious background, it's like, no, we have to honor our parents. It is not dishonoring your parents to create boundaries and say no. We are the parents of a grown man and a daughter in law and we tread lightly in their home. We respect their way of doing things. We don't force our opinions on them. Expect your parents to grow up or they are not allowed entrance to your family island because that's what you have. You have a family and there's a moat and there's a drawbridge there. It is your home, it is your children. And no one has a right to come into your home and behave in ways contrary to your values. And you are not being a disrespectful or rebellious daughter if you stand your ground and say, you are welcome in our home, but you are not welcome if you do X and Y. I know that's hard for many of you, but it's important. Number nine, you're a mom. There's something special about a mom. I often joke that when men go to sleep, we forget that we have children. It's kind of true, but a mom never forgets. She wakes up in the middle of the night, wonders how her children are sleeping. She's going through that mental checklist of all the appointments and things she needs to keep straight for the kids, even if she has her own full time job. And this may be an unpopular take, but I found it to be true. Do you know why? When a divorce happens, the kids often take out their anger on their mom and not dad. And they kind of play nice with their dad, even though mom has always been the supportive, loving parent. It's because most kids intuitively know this. My dad's love and acceptance can be kind of fleeting. So I need to give lots of allowances and make excuses for my dad so he doesn't abandon me. But I know that my mom will always love me, no matter what, right? Because I can always come back to my mom because she will always be there for me. Mom means home and safety for so many of us. Number 10. Moms like you are heroes to me. And I'm not just saying that. You are breaking generational patterns. You are working through trauma, through dysfunctional childhoods. Some of you were not listened to as kids. You had no voice. And here you are as A grown adult now with kids of your own. And you are learning how to find that voice, to change patterns that have been part of you for decades. That. That is heroic work. You are digging down deep and dealing with issues that no one else is even aware of. You face setbacks. You get knocked down even by the people close to you. You have your trust broken. And yet here you are, battling through that pain to learn to trust again, to be vulnerable, to become fully you. I am so freaking proud of you. Not just as a mom, but as a human. So I want to tell you about my mom, who passed shortly after Mother's Day four years ago Now. I think I had the best mom ever. And I hope you're not offended by this, but my mom was just a simple woman. There were no pretenses. She wasn't very bright. And I'm not being mean. She was just simple person. We never had deep discussions. I don't ever remember her ever giving me, like, good advice or some kind of wisdom. And she couldn't cook. She was awful. But when you talk to my mom, she made you feel like the most important person. Like she was really interested in what you were saying or doing. She listened. She loved. She laughed. If you were having a bad day, you could call my mom. And I used to tell my friends this. I was like, just call my mom.

[Kirk Martin]

She won't even know who you are.

[Co-Host]

And she'll talk to you. And you'd hang up, feeling better about yourself and your life. Isn't that a magical trait? And then there's this part of my mom. She was a naive, simple girl who ended up marrying a monster. Near the height of my dad's abusive behavior, my mom somehow figured out a way to move her four boys across town to a tiny little townhome while my dad was away on a business trip. It was 1976. No one did that back then. She did. It was a courageous move on her part to protect her four boys. And she took menial jobs to support us. We got reduced lunches at school because my dad refused to pay her. But she never complained. She just fought for her four boys. And although she get frustrated, I have to tell you this. She'd get frustrated with us when we were a little bit older, and she tried to swat at us with a fly swatter. And then all you had to do with my mom was make a really inappropriate joke. And she would laugh so hard. But you know what? She raised four boys who turned out to be pretty good humans. And she didn't do nearly as much as you do for your kids. But eventually the body keeps the score. And my mom developed ms, which slowly ravaged her body piece by piece. And I have no doubt that my dad's abuse triggered her Ms. And I think that my mom bore that Ms. In her body for us as kind of a sacrifice of sorts, so her four boys didn't have to bear so much of his stress and abuse. And she never complained. And she used to lament, I wish I could go out and play and take my grandkids fun places. But all of her grandkids adored her. And I mean adored her. To this day. You should hear them talk about her like there is reverence and affection for her more than anyone on the planet. Why her ms? She couldn't do much physically, so she would sit for hours and hours, she would watch her grandkids do all those boring little inane things little kids do where they say, watch me, grandma, watch me. And she would watch for hours and hours, day after day, and everyone adored her because she never complained. As her body slowly fell apart, she just kept loving. There are things I want to say, but I can't because I'll cry more so at the end of life and I'll end with kind of a sweet moment. She and I had this tradition. I'd come and I'd sleep on our sofa, and every night at 10pm I'd say, hey, mom, you ready for some dessert? Because she had always made me brownies when I visited because I loved those. And she actually made those okay. And by the way, I know that brownies and ice cream and whipped cream are horrible for inflammation and not good for Ms. But at some point she was old enough and I told her, mom, eff it, just do what you enjoy doing. So anyway, say, mom, you ready for some dessert? And she'd always say, just a little bit tonight, honey, I'm not very hungry. So I would pile up a big bowl of ice cream, couple brownies, throw in that awful whipped cream she didn't get, the nice kind, an awful chocolate syrup. And I'd go and I'd give it to her and she'd say, oh, honey, I can't eat all that. And about 15 minutes later, she'd be hunched over, scooping up and every last bite, and she'd look up and see me smiling at her. And she'd say, oh, shut up. And then she'd laugh this big laugh. I miss my mom. My mom raised four boys who turned out to be good men. And her secret was she always believed in us and she listened and she loved. And the point is, I think she was the best mom ever. And she did far less than so many of you do for your kids. Moms, thank you for being an awesome mom. I am so freaking proud of you. Now go and have a good happy Mother's Day. And happy Mother's Month and year ahead. If we can ever help you, just let us know. Love you all. Bye. Bye.