It’s no secret that a lot of responsibilities typically fall on moms such as managing household schedules, shuttling kids to various activities, cleaning the house, making meals, doing laundry, helping with school, getting the kids to bed, etc. Rinse and Repeat. It can be physically and mentally taxing which can easily lead to Mom Burnout.
The past year and a half have not been easy worldwide, especially for women. Multiple studies including the one from Brookings Institution have found that women have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic in both the workplace and home. Notably, the majority of caregiving responsibilities for children as well as chronically ill, disabled or senior adults fall mostly on women. Unexpected homeschooling or virtual schooling with unpredictable school closings, re-openings and quarantines while juggling everyday life has led to more burnout, especially for moms.
Here are some signs that you might be experiencing Mom Burnout.
- Extreme tiredness even when you get enough sleep
- Lack of motivation
- Feeling extremely sad or “weighed down”
- Feeling overwhelmed by daily activities
- Avoiding activities that you normally enjoy
- Losing patience with kids and partner more easily
- Physical ailments such as headaches and stomach aches
We all deal with these things from time to time, but when it’s prolonged, it can lead to Mom Burnout.
The best way to prevent or deal with Mom Burnout is to learn to show up for ourselves so we can show up for loved ones. Simply put, we can’t pour from an empty cup. Running on empty can further deplete us and we end up not sharing the best version of ourselves.
Here are some ways to fill your own cup so you can pour into others.
- Let Go of the Mom Guilt – We need to let go of unrealistic expectations and feeling guilty when we feel we don’t measure up to perceived expectations such as being the perfect mom, having a perfectly clean house, cooking healthy delicious meals every night, etc. Letting go of perfection allows us to be present with our family which is truly a gift.
- Do Something that brings you Energy, Joy or a Sense of Peace every day. It could be reading, gardening, running, journaling, dancing, meeting up with friends, scheduling a date night, etc. Anything that makes you feel good. When you feel better, you will have more energy and patience for your day and loved ones.
- Find and Connect with your Community – This could be in person or online, but it’s great to talk to other moms to share parenting woes and advice. Feeling alone can quickly lead to burnout so connection is key. I’m a big believer in the Proverb, “It Takes a Village to Raise a Child.”
- Get help if needed. Reach out and ask friends and family for help with meals, rides, childcare, laundry or whatever you need most and return the favor when you are in the position to do so. You could work with a life coach, therapist or health coach, if needed. Prioritizing your needs, mental and physical health can help you be the warm, loving mom that you are. There is no need to carry everything yourself.
If you are struggling in any of these areas, you are definitely not alone. That’s why I became a certified life coach — so that I can help moms get unstuck, explore career options and design the life they want without the mom guilt. If this resonates with you, consider scheduling a complimentary call with me to discuss where you would like to see changes in your life. Sign up here for my newsletter for more motherhood and career change tips.
It’s Never Too Late for the Life You Want.
