Like most seasons in life, motherhood comes with a long list of items that you never exactly planned for.
You can read blog posts, watch youtube videos, and get all the parenting advice, but nothing seems to prepare you for it until you experience it.
Before I became a mom, I read about sleepless nights, teething babies, and how to deal with toddler tantrums. But I never expected for those milestones to turn into yet another phase.
We have three kids under five and it seems like at any given moment at least one of them is going through a phase.
Just this week my completely potty trained three-year-old started wetting the bed and we got rid of the youngest pacifier which made for a long week.
Before having kids, I looked forward to reaching all the stages of motherhood. The good, the bad, and the ugly.
I never even explored the option of getting burnt out. I never realized that every victory would be followed by yet another challenge. And it is exhausting. Wonderfully exhausting.
I’m tired of fighting about food choices, I’m tired of fighting about bedtime, and I’m tired of hearing my kids argue about whose turn it is to play with the latest toy.
Sometimes I just get sick of being a mom. Sometimes I’m just plain burnt out.
But you know what makes being burned out especially hard? That when you’re a mom nothing stops.
You don’t get any sick days and to be brutally honest, nobody really cares. Even the small population that does (like your mom and maybe a close friend) can’t do anything about it.
Nobody can take your place and nobody can care for your kids like you.
Motherhood calls us to pony up like we never have before.
And quitting isn’t an option.
So if you are a mama feeling a worn out, check out these helpful tips on How To Overcome Mom Burnout.
Wake Up Before Your Kids
This can be hard depending on what stage you are in and if you are currently nursing a 3-month-old it doesn’t apply to you. Get as much sleep as you can.
But if you can get a full night sleep, make it a top priority to wake up at least 15 minutes before your kids. A half hour is better.
By getting a head start on your day before your kids wake up, you’ll be happier and more prepared to see them.
I try to wash my face, brush my teeth, drink a glass of water and do a few stretches before their tiny little feet hit the floor. It makes me feel refreshed and gives me a tiny bit of an edge on the day.
Read The Bible
Gods word truly is powerful. If you can incorporate it into your morning routine, it will be so helpful to start the day on a positive note of worship.
As a busy mom, I’m not always able to do it first thing in the morning but I always try to read a passage throughout the day at some point.
When you read it consistently, He has a way of guiding and leading you that can’t be matched.
Make it a goal to read your bible each day this week and see if you notice a difference. I bet that you will <3
Get Alone Time
Time away from your kids is so important. Many times I will start to feel incredibly burnt out right after my husband has been away for work and I haven’t had any time to myself.
It’s ok to feel like you need a break from your kids and chances are they may need a break from you.
It doesn’t mean you don’t love them or that you’re a bad mom. It’s perfectly normal to need time to think, meditate, or maybe even go shopping without having to answer a ton of questions or break up a fight.
I realize that for some mamas it’s not easy but if at all possible, try to get an hour or two each day and take a few hours on the weekend. Every time I can step away, It gives me space to love and appreciate my family more.
Create A Gratitude List
Depression and overwhelm cannot live in the same space as gratitude.
More often than not, mom burnout is more about bringing your thoughts captive and redirecting them to something positive.
Be diligent in claiming your thoughts, and redirect them toward truth. It’s a simple mind hack but so powerful.
Try to find the special moments in each day and bask in them. And make a list of all the things you are grateful for.
There is so much power in gratitude.
Take Care Of Yourself
If you are not getting enough sleep, feeding yourself real food, and taking the time to move your body, you will most likely find yourself incredibly burnt out.
It is so important that you make your health a top priority.
It doesn’t have to be anything elaborate. Start by shooting for eight hours of sleep, drinking more water, and move your body every day. Even if it’s just a short walk.
You cannot pour from an empty glass and taking care of yourself is taking care of your kids.
Get A Hobby
It is so easy to get wrapped up in mom life and completely lose sight of who you are.
Find a hobby that you enjoy outside of being a mama and pursue it.
Being able to step away from your family and losing yourself in something you love will replenish your joy in motherhood.
Choose The Best Yes
STOP SAYING YES TO EVERYTHING!!!! Gone are the days that you can burn the candle at each end. Because if you do, your family will suffer.
Become very aware of the items you choose to add in your calendar. It is so hard to keep a busy schedule when you have small kids.
Chances are you will end up sucking at doing the thing AND being a mom. Which means no one wins.
Say yes to random play dates, say yes to long walks with your kids, say yes to late nights with your husband and be present in those moments.
Don’t feel obligated to volunteer for all the church committees.
Those will wait and now is the season to pour into and be available for your family.
My purpose in writing this post is to let you know that….
1) If you are a mom who is experiencing burnout, YOU ARE NOT ALONE and there is hope.
This week, I encourage you to be intentional with your time and get up earlier than your kids. Spend time reading, writing, and make gratefulness a practice.
Ask your spouse to watch the kids and go for a long walk or a trip to a local coffee shop to just relax and decompress.
You need time away from your kids to clear your mind.
Look into hobbies that interested you and start seriously working on it.
Finally, be very very careful about what you say yes to.
Xoxox
Colleen
