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Parenting Guilt Explained: Why You Feel It (and What to Do Instead)

The Parenting Guilt Trap You know the feeling. You replay something you said. You second-guess a decision. You wonder, “Did I mess that up?” That’s parental guilt—and for most of us, it shows up a lot more than we talk about. In this episode, Dr. Sheryl is joined by psychologist Dr. Juli Fraga, who has spent years studying the emotional lives of parents. Together, they unpack why guilt shows up so quickly in parenting—and why it’s often pointing us in the wrong direction. You’ll learn: - The difference between actually doing something wrong and just feeling like you did - Why your child’s discomfort can trigger guilt (and what to do instead) - How guilt quietly leads to overgiving, overthinking, and burnout - A simple way to respond when guilt hits—so it helps instead of hurts This isn’t about getting rid of guilt. It’s about understanding it—so you can stop spiraling and start showing up with more clarity, steadiness, and confidence. Learn more about Good Inside for Teens & Tweens:https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl

Dr. Juli Fragaguest
Apr 29, 202613mWatch on YouTube ↗

Episode Details

EPISODE INFO

Released
April 29, 2026
Duration
13m
Channel
Good Inside with Dr. Becky
Watch on YouTube
▶ Open ↗

EPISODE DESCRIPTION

The Parenting Guilt Trap You know the feeling. You replay something you said. You second-guess a decision. You wonder, “Did I mess that up?” That’s parental guilt—and for most of us, it shows up a lot more than we talk about. In this episode, Dr. Sheryl is joined by psychologist Dr. Juli Fraga, who has spent years studying the emotional lives of parents. Together, they unpack why guilt shows up so quickly in parenting—and why it’s often pointing us in the wrong direction. You’ll learn:

  • The difference between actually doing something wrong and just feeling like you did
  • Why your child’s discomfort can trigger guilt (and what to do instead)
  • How guilt quietly leads to overgiving, overthinking, and burnout
  • A simple way to respond when guilt hits—so it helps instead of hurts

This isn’t about getting rid of guilt. It’s about understanding it—so you can stop spiraling and start showing up with more clarity, steadiness, and confidence. Learn more about Good Inside for Teens & Tweens:https://www.goodinside.com/lp/teen-parenting/?utm_source=shownotes&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=evergreen&utm_content=utm_content%20=%20shownotes_20260201_expert_sheryl

SPEAKERS

  • Dr. Juli Fraga

    guest

    Psychologist specializing in maternal mental health and the emotional lives of parents.

EPISODE SUMMARY

In this episode of Good Inside with Dr. Becky, featuring Dr. Sheryl and Dr. Juli Fraga, Parenting Guilt Explained: Why You Feel It (and What to Do Instead) explores reframing parenting guilt: useful signal, empathy, and repairing missteps Guilt is a self-conscious emotion with a purpose: it slows us down and can prevent harmful parenting reactions.

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