The Truth About Mom Burnout

Moms continually take care of others all day long. Whether it be at work and home or just home. We play many roles. We wear many hats.

It’s the continuous dishes, snacks, food, sticky hands, clothing everywhere, the piles of laundry, cleaning the toilets, the floors, wiping mouths, cutting up food, applying sunscreen, baths, spit up, more laundry, more dishes, fighting, yelling... ahhh!

When does it stop??

It doesn’t. It continues, day in and day out.

It’s scary and overwhelming to think about the cycle never ending. But then there’s that ever constant reminder in the back of our heads - - they’re only little once, you’ll miss these days.

Aren’t we all tired of hearing that? We know. We absolutely are aware of that. But we are stuck in the constant cycle of the everyday and cannot remove ourselves to be truly present in the moment. We know self-care is important. But how and where do we fit it in?

I’ve been here. Lots of times. Almost monthly. Honestly probably more often than that. It’s hard to get wrapped up in the everyday. I want my kids to have a great summer, a great childhood... so every day is jammed packed with summer camps, library events, play dates, pool days, birthday parties, sports, etc.

Unfortunately I don’t have the secret to figuring it all out. I really wish I did, I would totally share it with the world. It's so unfair that everything we ever dreamed of in this life (our amazing family!) is causing this much stress.

We all feel it, we’ve all been there and it’s important to realize that everyone else is also going through something. I think the most important take away here is that we all experience it. Having conversations with your spouse, your support person, your tribe is crucial. 

The truth about mom burnout is that we've all been there, and we all need a break.

There are several strategies to help overcome the stress and chaos.

Having a plan for life is ideal. Discussing with your support person(s) is so extremely helpful. Communication is key. And also prioritizing yourself to recharge is the final step. Like I said previously, I don't have it all together and most of us don't. These strategies will be helpful to remember when life get stressful. Hang tight!

Have Structure To Your Everyday Life

Having a plan is the first step. Having some sort of structure to your every day life is key to feeling like you are in control. And you still may not have it all together, but at least you have a written plan, a to do list, or some sort of intention for how your life is run.

This plan can include everyday chores, monthly house cleaning rotation, car/house maintenance list(s), child(ren) school activities and/or sports commitments, family obligations. Seeing it written down helps to visualize what has been completed and what's coming next. Even if you don't get to all of it daily, weekly, monthly, at least it's a start! Small baby steps will help!

Communication

This has gotten me in trouble so many times. Open your mouth! Talk it out. It seems obvious but it gets overlooked so often.

What is your plan for your day off work, the weekend, etc? Does your significant other have the same intentions? Do your internal checklists line up appropriately so the other can be productive? You are a team, so sit down and talk it out. See how you can help each other get items checked off the list. If you're not on the same page, frustration is inevitable and very little gets accomplished. Life is busy and there is no time to waste arguing.

Self Care: Take the Time For Yourself

Recognizing that you need the time for yourself is the final step. This is totally when mom burnout truly sets in. If we don't take the time to recharge our battery, we will have nothing left to give.

This step can be as simple as taking 5 minutes to sit on the front porch by yourself, or taking 10 deep breaths in a dark bathroom. The key is knowing what helps you in particular in regards to a short destress to hold you over until you are able to truly take time for self care.

The second step is implementing your action steps for the longer lasting self care actions. Whatever that means for you: one hour walk, a three mile run, going to the grocery store by yourself, reading a book for 30 minutes at the end of the day, getting your nails done monthly, meal prepping on Sundays without interruption.

Find what your thing is, what you need to recharge. This part isn't just 5 minutes to yourself. This is time away to be yourself. It may seem small and insignificant, but it can be life changing.

Talk to your people, get support, and implement the change in your life to give yourself that charge. That energy. Find that thing to revitalize you. You deserve it because you are amazing! All moms are amazing.