Being an overwhelmed mother isn't easy for anyone.
You feel as if you're constantly stretched in a million directions.
Your brain is foggy and you're forgetful. Did I load the dishwasher? Or did I empty it?
You feel stressed and crankier than your two-year old without his favorite blankie.
Your family is constantly watching you for signs of a volcanic eruption.
Your kids are scared that you'll either snap at them or dissolve in a puddle of tears.
Yes, the life of an overwhelmed mother isn't easy or a pleasant one.
However, there is hope and... encouragement.
And we're not talking mere platitudes but practical encouragement that you can actually implement.
Practical Encouragement for the Overwhelmed Mother
1. Saying "No" is Good for the Soul
Start by saying 'no' to commitments on your time, your schedule, your life.
Commitments that you don't have to take on.
Commitments that leave you feeling drained and exhausted.
Commitments that you're only part of because of some misplaced sense of duty.
We all have them in our lives and a particularly busy season of motherhood, like a new baby, calls for letting these commitments go with grace and ease.
Say 'no', starting today.2. Self-Care Doesn't Have to be Stressful
Yes, it doesn't.
Self-care can be as simple as sipping your cup of coffee while the kids drink their milk.
It can be as easy as playing some music while getting ready for the school run.
It can be as fun as sitting down with your coloring pens and book while the kids color too.
Self-care is not all about spas and salons. It's simply about making some time for things that light you up.3. This, too, Shall Pass
Remember, every season of motherhood is transient and fleeting, actually.
Sure, the sleep-deprived nights may seem endless and the cloth diapering a never-ending task, but trust me, they do end and then another new season starts.
From the baby days to the toddler years to tweens and teens, every season of motherhood will pass.
The good, the bad and the ugly are all but fleeting seasons of being a mother.
So, while you may feel that this will never end, believe me, it will.
So, pause a while to savor the sweetness of the days with the belief that the strain you're feeling right now is only temporary.4. Be Realistic
It's vital that you be realistic about what you can and can't do. If you can't make meals from scratch right now, it's fine. If you need to take a nap when baby naps, it's fine. If you don't want to pick up the family room every day, it's perfectly okay.
Focus on what is non-negotiable for your family and your own health and let everything else take a backseat. Like I said, "This, too, shall pass."
5. Ask for and Accept Help
Finally and most importantly, dear overwhelmed mother, please ask for and then, accept the help you need and deserve.
There is no shame, no guilt, no embarrassment in admitting that you need help, that you can't {and really shouldn't} do it all.
Reach out to family members, friends, neighbors or even, community members and ask them for help.
So, if you're an overwhelmed mother, know that you aren't alone.
You can be calmer, happier and lesser stressed out for sure.
You can.
Join the Mom at Last community on Facebook and share with us how you will be overcoming overwhelm, one day a time.
