Motherhood is a Full-Time Job
Motherhood is a full-time job, and it comes with endless responsibilities that can be overwhelming at times. While being a mother is an incredibly rewarding experience, it is not uncommon to feel overwhelmed and stressed out from time to time…or seemingly all the time! Let’s take some time to explore the experience of overwhelm as a mother, and we will also provide some tips for managing these feelings including Therapy for Moms at Limitless Counseling.
Feeling Overwhelmed is Completely Normal
First and foremost, it’s important to understand that feeling overwhelmed as a mother is completely normal! Start with Validation because you are certainly not alone in feeling this way. Being responsible for the well-being of another human being (or more than one human being) is a huge responsibility, and it’s natural to feel a little out of your depth at times. However, if these feelings persist and begin to impact your day-to-day life, it may be a sign that you need to take action and learn additional coping skills to feel less impacted.
Mother’s Can Face an Overwhelming Number of Tasks to Accomplish Every Day
One of the most common causes of overwhelm for mothers is the sheer volume of tasks that need to be accomplished on a daily basis. The hardest thing about this list of tasks, is a lot of it goes unseen and is simply a mental load carried all by herself. From feeding and changing diapers to juggling work and household chores, it can feel like there are simply not enough hours in the day to get everything done. This is especially true for new mothers who are still adjusting to the demands of caring for a newborn.
Understanding How to Prioritize is Key
When this feeling comes up, it’s important to prioritize your tasks and focus on what’s most important. Make a list of the things that need to be done each day, and prioritize them based on their level of urgency. Trust that your list will be there for you later, tomorrow or someone else can check a box for you! If you’re struggling to keep up with everything, consider enlisting the support of someone in your support network. There is also the option to hire additional support if that resource is available to you.
Societal Pressures to be the Perfect Parent
Another common cause of overwhelm for mothers is the pressure to be a “perfect” parent. This is something many parents struggle with, especially when they are bombarded with so many opinions and strategies through the accounts they follow. Social media and parenting blogs can make it seem like everyone else has it all figured out, leaving you feeling like you’re falling short. However, it’s important to remember that no one is perfect and that every parent makes mistakes. Social media posts, and even stories people share with us in person or over text, are filtered and often a highlight reel of that person’s experience.
Focus on Doing the Best YOU Can in Your Situation
Instead of striving for perfection, focus on doing the best you can with the resources and support available to you. A helpful reframe to practice is “I am good enough” or “Im doing the best I can with the resources I have.” Practicing affirmations like this can help rewire automatic thinking patterns that have become unhelpful and self-destructive.
Practice Self-Care
Practicing self-care is another helpful strategy, and frankly, a good life skill to develop. Taking time for yourself can be challenging as a mother, but it’s essential for your well-being. Whether it’s going for a walk, taking a bath, or reading a book, find ways to prioritize your own needs and take care of yourself. The topic of self-care is something we could write a whole other post about (stay tuned for that). It starts with really thinking about yourself as a priority.
You Cannot Take Care of Others if You Don’t Care for Yourself First
We cannot care for others until we take care of ourselves and we will not feel better about ourselves if we run ourselves into the ground. A great book that explores this further is Real Self Care by Pooja Lakshmin, MD if you want to another resource.
Connect With Other Moms
Last, but not least, connect as much as you can with other mothers! Joining a parenting group or attending a playdate can help you feel less alone and provide you with a supportive network of other mothers who are going through similar experiences. It also is a helpful strategy to get out of the house! If these feelings f overwhelm do not subside, reach out for help with an experienced Therapist who works with moms.
Online Therapy for Moms in Chicago IL and Wisconsin!
We are currently taking clients and encourage you to reach out for your free 15-minute phone consultation to see if this could be a beneficial resource for you. This is another way to feel like you are not alone and to experience a validating and productive conversation surrounding your role as a mother and human being!
- Read more about us to discover if we are the best fit for you.
- Schedule an appointment.
- Start living your best life!
Other Services:
Limitless Counseling Center has a variety of specialty services catered to your needs. In addition to our online OCD therapy in Chicago, IL, we also provide online therapy for panic disorder, generalized anxiety, social anxiety or phobias as well as perinatal and postpartum OCD and anxiety.