How To Survive Mom Burnout

There used to be a commercial on the radio, a woman was narrating her daily activities while taking care of her elderly parent. Every day was the same, waking up, making coffee, giving her farther his medicine, caring for her father, and so on. She was tired and overwhelmed. The commercial was about Home Care services that allowed her to have help in caring for her father.

A lot of parents feel like the lady in the commercial, especially parents to babies or small children, they feel overwhelmed and exhausted. It can be challenging to run on low energy and lack of sleep. Every day feels the same, like it’s on repeat.

This is called “burnout”.  Many moms struggle with this every day.

What is Mom Burnout?

Washington Psychological Wellness says that “Mommy burnout is the emotional and physical exhaustion you feel from the chronic stress of parenting”.

It is not uncommon to hear of many moms finding themselves tired, with unbrushed hair, and barely changing clothes. Most of their energy goes into feeding the baby every few hours, changing diapers, cleaning spit ups, and doing everything else that needs to be done at home. If there are more children in the home, they also have to make sure they are taken care of.

And we haven’t even considered the time she needs for herself to eat, go to the bathroom, or anything that she needs! It just feels like there is no time to do it all.

So, if you are feeling burned out, what can you do to make it better?

Here are 7 things you can start doing today

1. Rely on your village

Ever heard of the saying “It takes a village to raise children”? There is a good reason why it exists. While raising children, you need the help and support of the people closest to you. Sometimes you may need help with your children, whether it is advice or need someone to watch them while you go to an appointment.

Often, you might just need someone to talk to about the hurdles you are facing. Or perhaps, you might just need to go out and have fun.

Rely on them. Having a strong support system will help this time be a smoother journey.

You may be interested in reading 5 Reasons Why You Need A Tribe To Be A Happier And Better Parent.

2. Accept help

If someone is willingly offering to help, accept it. If they want to bring you food, help you clean the kitchen, or stay with the baby while you take a nap; say yes!

Don’t try to be super mom. I am sure that you can handle everything that comes your way, and you are probably doing just fine. But isn’t it less heavy when someone helps you carry a heavy load?

Accepting help doesn’t mean that you are incapable of doing it on your own. It means that you know how to be balanced and make the best use of your energy and resources.

3. Ask for help

Sometimes people may not want to seem pushy or overbearing. This may be the reason why they aren’t bombarding you with ways in which they can lend you a hand.  But they really want to help.

Other times, we may think that it’s obvious that we need help with some things, but people may not know unless we tell them.

If you are struggling with something or could use an extra set of hands, just ask.

You will be surprised to see how the people that love you will rise to the occasion and jump at the opportunity to be of service.

4. Sleep when you can

This is easier said than done. Every parent knows that you don’t always get the chance to sleep when the baby does. That golden time might be the only chance you get to clean the kitchen, do laundry, or take care of any other chores that have been piling on.

As tempting as it may be to take care of everything while the baby sleeps, some of these things could wait.

Do your best to catch up on your sleep when you can. Lack of sleep will greatly impact your mood, mental health, and even your ability to focus. Lack of sleep will be one of the main culprits if you are experiencing burnout.

Don’t put it to the side. Do your best to prioritize making time to sneak in a few zzz’s whenever possible.

5. Take a break

Recharge your battery. Go out on your own or get together with some friends. It is important that you take care of yourself and make some time to relax and have fun.

Try to resume a hobby or maybe start a new one. It will do wonders for your mental health to do something that brings you joy and you find relaxing. Many people pick up a coloring book and color a few pieces at a time until they finish the whole page.

The point is to do something that relaxes you and takes your mind off the everyday routine and stressors. Even though it may be hard to find a lot of down time when you have a baby, know that this time goes by quickly. Before you know it, you will have more free time little by little.

6. Talk with a trusted person

Open up about how and what you are feeling. It doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad. Sometimes just being able to talk about how we feel makes us feel better. Having someone listen to you, empathize with you, and offer their support, may exactly be what you need.

A person that loves and cares for you, will be more than happy to listen to you and offer their support.

7. Focus on the positive

I know you are probably tired and things are overwhelming. But I know, that you are doing everything you can to take care of your baby. You make sure your baby is happy, clean, and well fed.

Why? Because you love them.

Focus on how you can’t help but smile when you see their little faces. Or how your voice naturally changes to a soothing high-pitch when you talk to them. Remember how exciting it was when they first smiled at you, or how sweet their little head smells (seriously, why do babies’ heads smell sooo good??!).

Look forward to what the future will bring. Their first steps, when they finally call you mama, when the kiss you for the first time (even though it will most likely be an open mouth kiss that will leave your cheek slobbered, but it will be the best kiss ever!), and every new adventure that there is to come.

Looking at the positives will give you that extra juice to push forward. Just remember: this stage will pass.

I have always reminded myself that “the days are long, but the years go by so fast”, and now I’m telling it to you. This time will really go by faster than you think.

My oldest son is almost 11 years old and it still feels as if he was born just yesterday. Every day felt like it took forever, but then one day, he was starting kindergarten.

My advice? Even though this time can be challenging, take in the good and do your best during the hard parts. Relish the baby years, embrace the chaos, and hang in there through the tiredness. One day it will only be a memory and you will be the one encouraging other mothers.

Take it one day at time, take care of yourself, and take in this time. One day, you will look back at it and smile while saying to yourself “I don’t know how I did that!” ; ).