Parenting is a wild ride.
One day you’re pureeing vegetables with optimistic zeal, the next you’re hiding in the loo with a KitKat, scrolling through memes and pretending you can’t hear “Muuuum!” echoing through the keyhole.
Turns out, some of the things we do for a quick pick-me-up—those little guilty pleasures—might be the very things keeping us sane and doing a bang-up job as parents.
Let’s stop whispering about them in shame and own the fact that sometimes, what feels indulgent is actually genius.
1. Screen Time—Not Just for the Kids
Who among us hasn’t handed over the iPad, thrown on “Bluey,” and taken a breather?
Parents often feel they should be running Montessori-style activities every minute, but even the most enthusiastic Pinterest mum runs out of home-made playdough and patience.
Here’s the plot twist: when you take a break with your favourite show, everyone wins. Tuning in to a half-hour of “The Great British Bake Off”—even while the kids are off building a pillow fort—can recharge your emotional batteries.
A study published in the journal Psychology of Popular Media Culture found that watching comforting TV shows can actually reduce stress and restore your sense of social connection (yes, even if the only connection is with a fictional cake).
That relaxed vibe can make you more responsive to your child’s needs after your break, not to mention less likely to find yourself weeping into the laundry.
Your children benefit, too. Kids need time to entertain themselves—yes, even if it’s with a screen sometimes.
According to research from the Children’s Commissioner for England, a little bit of well-chosen screen time can actually enhance creativity, problem-solving skills, and even social learning.
The trick? Don’t let guilt drive the bus. Instead, pick shows or games that you’re comfortable with, keep an eye on the clock, and remember: you matter, too.
When everyone gets a reset, you’ll be better equipped to handle the next sibling showdown or missing-shoe crisis.
2. Hiding Treats—It’s Called Self-Care
The secret stash. The “mum drawer.” The suspiciously high shelf in the pantry. Most parents have one, and if you don’t, you’re either a saint or a liar.
Here’s the truth: your little ritual of sneaking a biscuit, chocolate, or that last, beautiful, untouched slice of cake isn’t just about sugar.
It’s about carving out a moment that belongs to you in a world where sticky fingers are everywhere and absolutely nothing is sacred—not even your favourite mug.
Science backs you up here. According to health psychologist Dr. Sandi Mann, small, pleasurable rituals help us regulate emotions and stave off burnout.
That tiny square of chocolate is signalling your brain to take a pause, savour, and recalibrate. You’re not just hiding in the kitchen—you’re investing in your emotional reserves.
And that’s not selfish; it’s keeping you from turning into the dragon parent who yells when someone spills juice on the clean floors (again).
There’s also value in modelling this for your kids. When they see you taking pleasure in small things, it teaches them self-regulation and the idea that joy is found in moments, not just milestones.
If you want to take it up a notch, try involving your little ones in baking or treat-making. That way, the ritual becomes something you can sometimes share—minus the guilt, plus a bit of flour in everyone’s hair.
If hiding treats feels a bit cloak-and-dagger, consider reframing it as a well-deserved break. Parents need energy to keep up with the chaos, and if a cheeky cuppa and biscuit does the trick, who’s to judge?
3. The Art of Saying “No” to Play
Every parent has faced it: the plaintive cry, “Can you play with me?” while you’re knee-deep in laundry or just… trying to finish your tea while it’s hot. Guilt creeps in.
Shouldn’t you be relishing every moment of make-believe, building Lego cities that would impress an architect?
Here’s a liberating secret: saying “no” to play (sometimes!) is not just okay—it’s good for your children and your own sense of self.
Researchers like Dr. Peter Gray, a psychologist specialising in play, have shown that children develop key skills—such as creativity, independence, and emotional regulation—when they play alone or with siblings, rather than looking to adults for constant entertainment.
When you set boundaries, you’re showing your kids that you have needs, too. This is a gift! Children learn that parents are people; that everyone in a family gets to say what they need, and that waiting or playing solo is part of life.
As a bonus, you get a window to finish your cuppa, answer a few emails or, dare we dream, sit for five minutes with absolutely nothing happening.
Feeling guilty about this one might be the hardest habit to break. Parental guilt loves to show up in a tiny costume and make you feel like you’re failing.
But next time, try saying, “Not right now, I need a little bit of quiet. I’ll play with you after.” That way, you’re honest without shutting down their feelings, and you both get a win.
Want some reassurance? This expert advice from The New York Times says that allowing children to play independently actually boosts their confidence and problem-solving skills.
Far from neglecting your little ones, you’re giving them space to grow.
Permission to Enjoy the Perks
The bar for ‘good parenting’ tends to hover somewhere between “never raise your voice” and “produce organic snacks while simultaneously entertaining three kids and running a side business.” That’s a recipe for burnout.
Those so-called guilty pleasures—screen breaks, the secret treat, a gentle “no” to play—are your pressure valves.
Embracing them doesn’t mean you’re lazy, selfish, or less loving; it means you’re smart enough to know that perfect parents exist only in stock photos.
Want your kids to grow up resilient, creative, and able to find joy in the little things? Give yourself permission to do the same. A happy parent is the best kind.
And occasionally, the happiest parent is the one who gets to watch their show, eat the good biscuits, and finish a cuppa in peace.
Here’s to guilt-free pleasure—long may it reign!
