Danielle Fishel, known for her roles in Boy Meets World and Girl Meets World, has candidly shared her experiences with maternal guilt since becoming a mother to her son, Adler, in June 2019 with her husband, Jake Carter. In a heartfelt essay for Good Morning America, she reflects on the challenges of motherhood, particularly the guilt that has crept into her life despite her initial determination to avoid it.
Fishel’s journey into motherhood began with unexpected complications; she gave birth to Adler four weeks early after doctors found fluid in his lungs. He spent three weeks in the hospital before he could come home. “We felt helpless and powerless,” she expressed. “Our birth plan was completely derailed when we had to leave our newborn at the hospital during those crucial first weeks.”
In her blog post, Fishel disclosed that nothing could have prepared her for the overwhelming sense of inadequacy that accompanied her new role as a mother. “I thought, perhaps naively, that I would never experience mom guilt,” she admitted. “But then I had a baby.”
Much of her guilt stemmed from Adler’s premature arrival and the struggles she faced with breastfeeding. “Was my active lifestyle to blame for my early labor? Did my cravings for spicy food have consequences for my baby? Was I responsible for anything that might hurt him?” she pondered.
In September, Fishel returned to work directing a show for the Disney Channel, which added to her feelings of guilt. “My first day back was incredibly tough. I came home after a long 12-hour shift, and Adler was already asleep. I hadn’t seen him since morning, and the guilt hit me hard. ‘Does he remember me? Does he think I abandoned him? Am I selfish for wanting a career?’” These thoughts resonate with many working mothers.
Fishel emphasized that regardless of how well we think we are doing, maternal guilt is a common experience for mothers, whether they stay at home or work outside. “None of us can escape that feeling,” she noted. “But one thing is certain: Every mother is doing her utmost, 100% of the time.”
She urged readers to consider the stories behind the scenes when they see mothers feeding their babies in various ways or struggling with toddlers in public. “We’re all navigating this together,” she reassured. “I see you, and you’re doing wonderfully.”
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In summary, Danielle Fishel’s candid exploration of maternal guilt highlights the universal struggles mothers face as they strive to balance personal and professional lives while giving their best to their children.