Taking care of little ones can be a never-ending job, and it's totally normal to experience mom burnout from time to time. As a caregiver, it's just a lot. Between the diaper changes and carpool runs, it can be hard to take care of yourself, too. We've been there, and we get it. You're not alone, even if it maybe feels like it right now.
Notice the Signs of Mom Burnout
One of the most important ways to deal with mom burnout is to check in with yourself from time to time to see how you're doing. When your attention is on everyone else, it's easy to overlook your own mental state. Knowing the signs of being burned out can help you be aware of when you need a break or some help.
- Exhaustion - Mom burnout can feel like being just plain exhausted a lot of the time. We know how tiring normal life as a mom can be, but if it feels more exhausting than normal, you might be burned out.
- Less patience - Parenting takes tons of patience, but we don't always have enough. If you have less than normal, you could be feeling burned out.
- Overwhelm - Feeling like it's all just too much? Between work, kids, and normal adulting, there's a lot on your plate.
- Guilt - Mom guilt is real, even for many moms who aren't burned out. If you notice yourself feeling a lot of extra guilt, though, it could be a sign that you need to take care of yourself.
Make Self Care a Priority
Self care is one of those things that's hard to prioritize, especially when you have to take care of littles (or even teens). The thing is, putting yourself last or moving your needs down the list of priorities makes it harder for you to have the emotional reserves you need.
Think of it this way: in an emergency on an airplane, you're supposed to put your oxygen mask on first before helping others. Prioritize your own care the same way. By taking care of you, you are making sure you have what you need emotionally to take care of your kids.
Give Yourself a Time Out
When you're feeling mom burnout, it's often a sign that you really need to put yourself in a time out. Time outs are resets. It doesn't have to be a long time (although it's great if it is). Even just a few minutes can work to help you recenter yourself and get your groove back.
Related: Every Mom Needs a Break - 25 Quotes to Remind Yourself to Recharge
Quick Tip
Over the years, we've learned that it's worth relaxing screen time rules and turning on a show for the kids to get an extra 15 minutes of silence. It may feel like a bad parenting move to plunk them in front of a screen, but a quick reset for you will give them a much more enriched experience to make up for it.
Get Out of the House Alone
Trust us. We know getting out is easier said than done when you have little ones. Even a trip to the grocery store alone can feel like a luxury. But if you're home with kids a lot of the time or hauling them around with you when you do your errands, it's really important to try to get a little time where it's just you out in the world without them.
If you have a co-parent, ask them to be on kid duty while you do something out of the house. If you're solo parenting, see if a friend or family member can watch the kids for a bit. It doesn't have to be a lot of time — just a coffee run or a walk around the block can work wonders when you're burned out.
Move Your Body
Exercise can help with mom burnout, too. In a perfect world, this would mean you walking or riding a bike alone, but we know it's not a perfect world. If you can't get kid-free time to exercise, there are actually lots of ways to involve children in your workout.
- Run or walk next to them while they ride bikes.
- Put littles in the stroller with some toys or a snack and take a daily walk.
- Race with the kids. Even if you're letting them win, you're getting a little exercise.
- Put some music on the stereo and have a dance party.
Have a Playdate With Friends (No Kids Allowed)
You think about your kids' social development and set up playdates for them, but you need playdates, too. Social support can help a ton when you're feeling burned out. If you can arrange it with a co-parent or babysitter, try to get out with friends at least once or twice a month (a weekly night out is even better).
Related: 26 Moms' Night Out Ideas to Relax & Beat the Stress
Nurture Your Own Appearance
You know how a new top or a great haircut can make you feel so much better? This may seem superficial, but the truth is that taking care of our appearance can be a powerful way to nurture ourselves. We're not suggesting you go get a makeover or wear heels to the playground — just try a few little things to take care of you.
- Hit the thrift store for a new dress or scarf.
- Give yourself a manicure with a new polish.
- Try a new perfume or scented lotion.
- Do your hair a different way to see if you like it.
- Paint your toenails.
Create Art or Practice Your Favorite Hobby
It's easy to get caught up in work, kids, and adulting and forget to nurture yourself creatively. If you love making art, set aside some time to do that. If you want to learn a new hobby, now is the time. There are actually tons of things you can do with your kids around — from gardening to bird watching to photography.
Set Aside Time to Be Mindful
Time acts kind of funky when you're a mom. There are moments that just seem to last forever (like an all-nighter when your toddler has an ear infection), but there are also all these things that just fly by. Amid all of this, you're struggling just to keep track of yourself.
One of our favorite ways to combat mom burnout is to take a few deep breaths and just be in the moment. That moment might be watching your little one belly laugh, but it could also be something way less pleasant like a tantrum or a nasty diaper (maybe skip the deep breathing in the case of the diaper). Either way, just being there helps you recenter and connect with yourself and your life.
Ask for Help When You Need It
A lot of the time, the best way to deal with mom burnout involves asking for help from others. It could be as simple as asking the person behind you to hold the door so you can get through with a stroller, but it could also be asking a co-parent or family member for a regular break from childcare responsibilities.
It's not easy to ask for help, but it's a powerful way to care for yourself so you can care for others. And ultimately, caring for yourself is the secret to beating mom burnout.
