Stop Hovering on Your Broomstick during the Witching Hour

Let’s set the scene: it’s 6 p.m., your baby’s having their usual meltdown, you’ve barely had a chance to take a deep breath, and you’re scrolling through Instagram only to see moms posting flawless pictures of their glowing lives. Meanwhile, you’re just trying to survive the witching hour—a.k.a. that daily stretch of time when babies are at their fussiest, and you’re at your most exhausted.

But there’s one thing that’s even more exhausting than the chaos: the pressure to be perfect. From getting the baby on a schedule to looking like you’ve got everything figured out (even when you definitely don’t), perfectionism can be a weight that doesn’t belong in your diaper bag.

And here’s the kicker: while you’re managing exhaustion and perfectionist ideals, you might also be unintentionally hovering over your little one, thinking that you need to be involved in every aspect of their lives. But here’s the thing—both perfectionism and helicopter parenting are stifling you and your kid.

What’s Going on that Makes Mom Feel the Pressure to Be Perfect

We get it. Social media shows us polished snapshots of motherhood, and it’s easy to think that’s the standard. But no one is posting about the sleepless nights, the endless baby laundry, or the tantrums (well, maybe not in the most glamorous light). In reality, the witching hour isn’t a glamorous Instagram moment—it’s an exhausting, chaotic blur.

But perfectionism doesn’t just affect how we show up in motherhood; it impacts how we show up in life. The constant striving to be the “best” version of ourselves is not only unsustainable, but it also keeps us from embracing the messy beauty of what motherhood really is. The solution? Let go of that impossible standard.

Who’s Flying the Helicopter

Now, let’s talk about something else that’s making motherhood harder than it needs to be: helicopter parenting. While trying to control every aspect of your baby’s world might come from a place of love and protection, it can actually prevent your little one from developing the independence they need to grow. Hovering over their every move sends the message that they can’t handle challenges on their own.

Kids need space to explore, make mistakes, and figure out the world without constant intervention. Think of it as their version of the witching hour—sometimes, the best thing you can do is step back and let them navigate their own emotions. You can be there to support them, but give them the freedom to fail and figure things out.

3 Tips to Let Go of Perfectionism and Stop Hovering

1. Acknowledge Your Exhaustion, Don’t Fight It
   Perfectionism thrives when you’re exhausted and pushing yourself to do more. Instead, honor your tiredness. You’re not a superhero, you’re a human. Allow yourself grace and the space to rest, even when everything feels like it needs to be perfect. Letting go of this pressure makes room for you to actually enjoy the chaos instead of fighting against it.

2. Trust Your Baby’s Ability to Navigate the Witching Hour
   The witching hour is inevitable, but it’s also an opportunity for your baby to learn how to self-soothe and regulate. It’s not your job to “fix” every cry or moment of frustration. Sometimes, letting them figure it out for themselves is more helpful in the long run than constantly stepping in. You’re not failing as a parent if you don’t solve every meltdown.

3. Give Your Kids (and Yourself) Room to Breathe
   Helicopter parenting isn’t just a risk for kids—it’s a risk for moms, too. You can love your kids fiercely while giving them space to be independent. Let them have unstructured playtime, make mistakes, and discover their own world. They’ll build confidence and problem-solving skills, and so will you as you trust them (and yourself) more.

Final Thoughts: It’s Okay to Let Go

Motherhood is messy, exhausting, and imperfect—and that’s exactly how it’s meant to be. The witching hour won’t last forever, and neither will the pressure to be perfect. When you let go of the perfectionist ideals and give both yourself and your kids room to grow, you’ll find more peace, more joy, and more space to just be.