Serena Williams has been refreshingly open about her journey through motherhood, including the challenges of her delivery and the postpartum changes she has experienced since welcoming her daughter, Olympia. Now, she’s shedding light on a common struggle faced by many mothers: the overwhelming feeling of mom guilt. In a recent interview with Insider, Williams shared her thoughts on the ongoing battle to balance the demands of motherhood with self-care.
In addition to her legendary tennis career, where she’s hailed as one of the greatest of all time, Williams is also deeply involved in business and investing, maintaining a hectic schedule. Her recent remarks indicate that she approaches her role as a mother with the same level of dedication and energy.
Williams expressed, “Mom guilt is real. I always feel so guilty when I’m doing something on my own.” She candidly admitted to uncertainty about her parenting abilities and the effectiveness of her methods, but emphasized her hands-on approach with her daughter, which mirrors the involvement she experienced from her own parents. While she’s established healthy boundaries, ensuring quality time with her daughter after work, Williams is now grappling with the question of self-care and how to prioritize her own needs amidst her busy schedule.
The experience of mom guilt transcends fame, success, and wealth, as evident from Serena Williams’ candid admission. Despite expectations that she would have ample time for self-care, the reality is that carving out time for herself after becoming a parent has proven to be a challenge. “I’m really bad at self-care,” Williams confessed to Insider. “I was just telling my chief of staff that I need to get a pedicure because it’s been two years since I sat in a chair and had one. Maybe I could do that while I’m multitasking and taking calls.”
While most mothers may not have the luxury of a chief of staff to consult with, they can likely empathize with Williams’ realization that she hasn’t prioritized self-care, such as getting a pedicure, in years. Nevertheless, the positive trend of discussing and valuing self-care has gained momentum in recent years. This shift is encouraging many parents to confront and alleviate the guilt they may feel when taking time for activities that simply make them feel good.