We asked our Facebook community what triggers “Mommy Burnout” for them, and we were flooded with great responses! Join April and Saren as they share their own “Mommy-Burnout” stories and brainstorm strategies for avoiding some of the stress and doldrums that can be a sad and frustrating part of motherhood*.
Here are a few of the ideas Saren and April will talk about:
- Get enough sleep. (Late night TV may have to go…)
- Record what’s weighing on us/overwhelming us, and then go through each item and try to delegate, delay, or delete.
- Simplify our schedules.
- Communicate with our family members and tell them if we’re having a “hormonal” time or a particularly challenging week. (Let them know what they can do to help.)
- Establish boundaries and respect those boundaries. Decide what we really need to feel healthy and happy–and don’t let those things slide (diet, exercise, sleep, time to read, time with friends, etc.).
- Recognize that sometimes we’ve got to “mother” ourselves as well as our families! We’ve got to assess and attend to our own needs more often so that we can be the moms, wives, and women we really want to be.
Show Notes
Great comments and ideas about Mommy Burnout on our Facebook page.
How to Renegotiate with Yourself
When the ER Feels Like the Spa, It’s Time to Re-Evaluate
You’re Not Mean, Your Stressed
Six Reasons to Never Give Up on Motherhood
10 Ways to Achieve Mommy Burnout
* We recognize that some mothers who are feeling “burnout” may have serious anxiety or depression issues. If you feel burnt out in an ongoing way and aren’t able to find solutions that work for you, we urge you to get professional help.
Image courtesy of Marin / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Music from Creations by Michael R. Hicks.
This is a good podcast, however sometimes the answers aren’t as simple as going to bed on time, eating right and exercising. Sometimes you have “mommy burnout” because you suffer from severe anxiety and depression and you really need some extra help. I am sorry but this over simplifies and minimizes people’s challenges and something that could be really serious. I had PPD and my friends and family told me I just needed more sleep and to exercise. It wasn’t until I went to my Mom’s house and handed her my baby because I was going to either hurt her or myself that people took me seriously.
Such an important point, and I’m so glad you brought it up, Ali. You’re absolutely right. And I hope that anyone listening to this podcast will take a moment to consider this idea. If the solution really is something simple like getting more sleep/taking care of yourself, then you’ll notice an improvement as soon as you’re fully rested. But if there’s something deeper going on, then these “quick fixes” won’t necessarily change things. Sometimes, also, we need to take a step back at the bigger picture of our lives and see if the jobs we’re doing, the habits we have in place, etc., are really working. Thank you!!!