--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: My daughter Gabby very kindly once said…" description: "\"My daughter Gabby very kindly once said that she thinks I was a better mother because I was doing a job I loved. I now think guilt is a universal part ..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc9/donna-karan-3120_because_my-daughter-gabby-very-kindly-once-said_49143.png" --- # My daughter Gabby very kindly once said that she thinks I… ![“My daughter Gabby very kindly once said that she thinks I was a better mother because I was doing a job I loved. I now think guilt is a universal part of being a mother. I used to think it was Jewish-mother guilt but now I think it is working-mother guilt.” quote by Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc9/donna-karan-3120_because_my-daughter-gabby-very-kindly-once-said_49143.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc9/donna-karan-3120_because_my-daughter-gabby-very-kindly-once-said_49143.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc9/donna-karan-3120_because_my-daughter-gabby-very-kindly-once-said_49143.png) > “My daughter Gabby very kindly once said that she thinks I was a better mother because I was doing a job I loved. I now think guilt is a universal part of being a mother. I used to think it was Jewish-mother guilt but now I think it is working-mother guilt.” [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The speaker reflects on how motherhood intertwines with professional identity, recognizing that guilt stems from balancing work and parental duties rather than cultural stereotypes. **In simple terms:** Balancing work and motherhood creates universal guilt. Key Takeaway Motherhood guilt is tied to role conflict. Themes parenthood work-life balance identity guilt cultural expectations gender roles Mood reflective empathetic thoughtful Type personal anecdote social commentary When to use this quote - new mother returning to work - career-driven parent - single parent juggling shifts - parent on with demanding job Key Concepts role conflict self-expectation societal pressure Practical Applications - career counseling for parents - workplace policies supporting parents Questions to Reflect On - How does professional fulfillment affect parental self‑esteem? - What structures can reduce the feeling of 'working‑mother guilt'? A Different Perspective Some argue that guilt is not universal but varies with personal values and support systems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Because](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/because/) [Being](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/being/) [Better](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/better/) [Children](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/children/) [Daughter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/daughter/) [Doing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doing/) [Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt/) [Guilt Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt-think-705824/) [Guilt Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/guilt-universal-705826/) [I think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-think/) [Job](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/job/) [Kindly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kindly/) [Loved](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/loved/) [Mother](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother/) [Mother Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/mother-guilt-705823/) [Now](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/now/) [Once](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/once/) [Parenting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/parenting/) [Part](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/part/) [Regret](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/regret/) [Said](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/said/) [She](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/she/) [Think](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think/) [Think Guilt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-guilt-705825/) [Thinks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinks/) [Universal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/universal/) [Used](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/used/) [Very](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/very/) ## Related quotes > [“Guilt—the universal punishment. For what? What have you done? Illusions of deeds gone wrong, misspoken words, actions that seemed to kill or harm others,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-herrera/guilt-the-universal-punishment-for-what-what-have-you-done-illusions/) [Elizabeth Herrera](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-herrera/) > [The first thing I'd say to women is put aside the guilt. I think we're all genetically programmed to feel guilty for not giving…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/indra-nooyi/the-first-thing-i-d-say-to-women-is-put-aside-the-guilt-i-think-we-re/) [Indra Nooyi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/indra-nooyi/) > [Once you become a mother, you always have a guilt trip. You always try to do the best, but you feel you can always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gal-gadot/once-you-become-a-mother-you-always-have-a-guilt-trip-you-always-try/) [Gal Gadot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gal-gadot/) > [Like every working mother, there's guilt involved in deciding how you're going to balance family and work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/like-every-working-mother-there-s-guilt-involved-in-deciding-how-you/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [A baby comes with such responsibility. Once you become a mother, you always have a guilt trip. You always try to do the best,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gal-gadot/a-baby-comes-with-such-responsibility-once-you-become-a-mother-you/) [Gal Gadot](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gal-gadot/) > [We are so inculcated with guilt that we think that weakness is a sin or that it is some crime against nature to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anton-szandor-lavey/we-are-so-inculcated-with-guilt-that-we-think-that-weakness-is-a-sin/) [Anton Szandor LaVey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anton-szandor-lavey/) > [I don't want to forgive myself. That's why I hate psychoanalysis I think if you're guilty of something you should live with it. Get…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orson-welles/i-don-t-want-to-forgive-myself-that-s-why-i-hate-psychoanalysis-i/) [Orson Welles](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orson-welles/) > [Everything can be brought to the extreme. Food is good, overeating is bad. Possessions are good, hoarding is bad. Guilt is good, obsessing about…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lino-rulli/everything-can-be-brought-to-the-extreme-food-is-good-overeating-is/) [Lino Rulli](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lino-rulli/) > [I think guilt is the biggest problem in America, people are always feeling guilty about being themselves. You can't say what you want because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marilyn-manson/i-think-guilt-is-the-biggest-problem-in-america-people-are-always/) [Marilyn Manson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marilyn-manson/) > [I think guilt can be good to a small degree, keep you on the right path.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-buck/i-think-guilt-can-be-good-to-a-small-degree-keep-you-on-the-right-path/) [Joe Buck](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-buck/) > [I think guilt is directional. You should get rid of it, but the way to get rid of it is not to get rid…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-yancey/i-think-guilt-is-directional-you-should-get-rid-of-it-but-the-way-to/) [Philip Yancey](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/philip-yancey/) > [I think every parent, every generation has wanted their children to do better and have a higher standard of living. But I think there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-mcgraw/i-think-every-parent-every-generation-has-wanted-their-children-to-do/) [Phil McGraw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-mcgraw/) > [I don't think I have any guilt or embarrassment about any of the TV shows I watch. Maybe the fact that the shows I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ross-butler/i-don-t-think-i-have-any-guilt-or-embarrassment-about-any-of-the-tv/) [Ross Butler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ross-butler/) > [Treat the women and slaves kindly.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/the-holy-prophet/treat-the-women-and-slaves-kindly/) [The Holy Prophet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/the-holy-prophet/) > [“Kindly go to Hell! (Lestat to Oncle Julien's ghost)”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anne-rice/kindly-go-to-hell-lestat-to-oncle-julien-s-ghost/) [Anne Rice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anne-rice/) ## More by Donna Karan > [Personal Style comes from within. It's when the woman, her individuality and spirit come through. She uses clothes to express who she is and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personal-style-comes-from-within-it-s-when-the-woman-her/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I'm a nature bug.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/i-m-a-nature-bug/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I've been away and haven't seen my family. I speak to them every day though. I miss them, but I love traveling.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/i-ve-been-away-and-haven-t-seen-my-family-i-speak-to-them-every-day/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [My mind is always racing with ideas or things I should be doing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/my-mind-is-always-racing-with-ideas-or-things-i-should-be-doing/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I'm very involved with Pilates as well; you have to be careful. I can't do headstands any more, I have a neck and a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/i-m-very-involved-with-pilates-as-well-you-have-to-be-careful-i-can-t/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [Originally, back in 1992, DKNY started because I couldn't find a pair of jeans. I also wanted to dress my teenage daughter Gabby. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/originally-back-in-1992-dkny-started-because-i-couldn-t-find-a-pair/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [Design and style should work toward making you look good and feel good without a lot of effort so you can get on with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/design-and-style-should-work-toward-making-you-look-good-and-feel/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I'm very involved in my business and with my family and my friends. I don't play the social world very much, and not to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/i-m-very-involved-in-my-business-and-with-my-family-and-my-friends-i/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I celebrate my people a lot and that's why people stay with me as long as they do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/i-celebrate-my-people-a-lot-and-that-s-why-people-stay-with-me-as/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [Meditation is the calm in the chaos, the fastest way to settle down and get in touch with the stillness within.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/meditation-is-the-calm-in-the-chaos-the-fastest-way-to-settle-down/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [If it's a regular day, I won't wear any makeup, just leave my hair down and head out to the car.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/if-it-s-a-regular-day-i-won-t-wear-any-makeup-just-leave-my-hair-down/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [You look at the world situation, look at London, Paris, Italy, it is all basically the same as the U.S. Then you look at…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/you-look-at-the-world-situation-look-at-london-paris-italy-it-is-all/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [Scheduling me is not easy, as most people know, because once I start, I don't stop.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/scheduling-me-is-not-easy-as-most-people-know-because-once-i-start-i/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [I never see one woman when I design, it's always a universe of women](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/i-never-see-one-woman-when-i-design-it-s-always-a-universe-of-women/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) > [ Personally, I don't use fragrance, and only use essential oils. Stephan \[Weiss\] said, "Donna, we have to do fragrance - fragrance will last forever… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/donna-karan/personally-i-don-t-use-fragrance-and-only-use-essential-oils-stephan/) [Donna Karan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) [Explore all 139 Donna Karan quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/donna-karan/) ## More Because quotes > [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/) [Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/) > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Because of the womb being a central phenomenon in the feminine body, the whole psychology of woman differs: she is non-aggressive, non-inquiring, non-questioning, non-doubting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rajneesh/because-of-the-womb-being-a-central-phenomenon-in-the-feminine-body/) [Rajneesh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rajneesh/) > [I love casting against type and doing things you wouldn't expect, because I think you get more interesting performances that way. 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