I have it, you have it. Show me a mom who doesn’t have it and I’ll give up my late night, post-bedtime bowl of cereal for a month. We’re all suffering from mom-fatigue.
From Bump to Baby is brought to you by The Pregnancy & Parenting Center
The burnout is real, y’all. As Smashmouth once said, “The hits start coming and they don’t start coming.” Birthdays, holidays, first day of school, last day of school, family vacations, playdates… Not to mention the day-to-day load moms carry such as meals, medical appointments, carpooling, and keeping bored kids entertained. Whether you work in the house or out of the house, being a mom- being a woman- is a full time, exhausting job. And like every job, you run the risk of burnout.
Signs of Burnout
In April of this year, I have a panic attack. The weight of my personal AND professional life became too heavy. If I’d have been tuned in to my own needs and struggles, I might’ve caught on to my growing fatigue before it became a full-blown attack.
Keep an eye out for these warning signs:
- Irritability or irrational rage, especially toward your family
- Extreme tiredness, even after a good rest or full night of sleep
- Questioning your choices and worrying you may be a bad mom
- Feelings of isolation, limited patience, and emotional depletion
- Disassociating
- Feeling a lack of motivation
Sometimes moms just have an exhausting day, but if you’re feeling this way day after day, week after week, it’s time to dig in a little deeper and focus on taking care of yourself.
Tips to Manage Mom-Fatigue
- Build a Support System. Make mom friends, connect with family members, build a village around yourself and your family.
- Make an appointment with your primary care physician and/or a mental health professional.
- Do not compare yourself to other moms or families.
- Move your body regularly and make sleep a priority. Exercise is as important as sleep. Both keep your body physically happy and healthy.
- Plan breaks from mom-ing. Go on a weekend retreat. Book a babysitter for a date night or moms’ night out.
- Find a hobby outside of parenting. It can be gardening, photography, writing, etc. Find something you love and invest your time.
Take care of yourself, mama. Your family wants to see you happy & thriving; you deserve to be happy & thriving. Keep an eye on your mental health and check in with friends, family, and your doctor. Even when things seem hard and you’re dog-tired, you are so strong and so loved.
Source
- Charlie Health. “Mom Burnout.” [Online] Available at: https://www.charliehealth.com/post/mom-burnout
- Choosing Therapy. “How to Avoid Burnout as a Mom.” [Online] Available at: https://www.choosingtherapy.com/mom-burnout/
- Susan Landers, MD. “Overcoming Mom Burnout: Tips & Strategies.” [Online] Available at: https://susanlandersmd.com/solutions-for-burnout-in-working-mothers/
The Pregnancy & Parenting Care Center is the place for families to receive the support and resources necessary to make life affirming decisions and build stronger families. For more information, please visit https://thepregnancyandparentingcenter.com/services/.
Audrey Mattevi, Reporting
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