What are you thinking about right now?
If you are like me (and many many other moms) you probably have a million things going through your mind right now.
I am thinking about what’s for dinner.
And if David will get to Emma before 17h00.
I am replaying an incident that happened with Kiara earlier today.
I am making a list of what I need to get from the shops tomorrow (yes I have written it down but I keep adding to it).
I am wondering if the mom has received the Takealot order than arrived.
We have a busy weekend and I am trying to shuffle plans around.
I am also thinking: will the dog food last week or should I get more now, Kiara needs new shoes, can I risk getting them without her, what time do I need to leave for the airport on Wednesday, is there lunch for Jack for tomorrow.
It goes on and on and on. It is exhausting.
It can be overwhelming and if you need to try figure out a way to manage it otherwise it will exhaust you completely.
So what can you do? These are a few of the things I do to ease the mental load of motherhood.
- Write it down. I have lists all over, in notebooks on paper and everywhere in between. It really helps for those days that seem logistically impossible.
- Ask for help. I know its not always easy but on days where you just can’t seem to juggle it all, ask for help. Class whatsapp groups can be a pain but they are also great for those days you need a little help, use them.
- Make time for quiet time. I get up early and that time is vital for me. I run through the day and the rest of the week. If I don’t get this time in the morning, I make time for it once the kids are at school.
- You are not the only parent. Dad’s can do all the things you can do. Seriously, they really can and most of the time they want to. Sit down with your partner, figure out what he can help with and then let him do it. David and I split everything, some weeks he does more kid stuff and sometimes I do but it all works out in the end. He is more than happy to help because he is a parent too, it doesn’t have to be all on me.
- Self-care is vital.
- Set reminders. Writing down lists in one thing but often my kids need something before tomorrow, I set reminders for this so that I make sure I get it done.
The biggest reason for this mental overload is because we try to do it all ourselves. We have this idea that we have to do it all alone. I am guilty of it, I am getting better at it and my life has been so much easier since I started actively asking David to step in and delegating tasks that can be delegated.
Moms, you don’t have to do it all. There are people out there who can help you manage everything, you just have to ask.
This post forms part of my 31 days to achieve work life balance as a work from home mom.
9 Responses
I love how this article packs a punch – you are saying so much in such a nice short post!! And I totes agree – dad’s really can do things too. You sum it up perfectly when you say that sometimes we wanna do too much or as moms we just don’t want other people (other moms!) to make us seem like we’re not doing enough. But screw that!! Here’s to being a real person who gets mental fatigue and also likes to fall onto the couch and do zilch once in a while, and who have awesome men in their lives who can be present and hands-on dads.
These are such great tips, and I feel like you are inside of my head-at least a million things I’m thinking about right now!! Momming ain’t easy!!
Asking for help must the most difficult, but it the one that helps the most for sure!
I am a stay at home mom with 2 boys and it gets HECTIC! This week they are both sick and have passed their cooties to me. I need to get back to the basics and remember these tips!
I feel like my mind is always going a million directions. So I can totally relate to this. Thanks for sharing your tips too. I am trying to make some resolutions this year to be more organized and focused, so there is less chaos in my life.
Everyday I feel like my mind is going to a million different direction everyday. Having a 5 Years Old who is constantly moving around and so energetic, and a teenager who thinks she knows everything lol. Motherhood is a hard job, thank you for this tips.
I have found that when I write things down I can release the constant burden of mentally reciting my to do list. I have it broken down into very specific items.
these are awesome tips. SAHM life can be daunting and difficult at times
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So relatable! Sometimes I go to bed and my body is just so exhausted from the day/week but my mind can’t ever calm down! We’ve really been working on splitting things and that’s super helpful! Self Care is also really important in realizing I’m important and have needs too!