Signs You’re On The Brink of Mommy Burnout

Without being asked, mothers take on the weight of the world to ensure their families have the best lives possible. We try our best to be everything for everyone, despite what that may mean for our physical and emotional well-being.

Although this may seem commonplace for mothers and even seem like a practical solution, eventually, it backfires. Before you know it, you’re trying to figure out how to cope with parental burnout. 

Signs You’re On The Brink of Mommy Burnout

What is Mommy Burnout? 

Mommy or parental burnout is the state of feeling physically and emotionally burned out from your parenting responsibilities.

Try as you may to continue your same routines and keep up with obligations; you don’t have the physical or mental capacity to perform the same. 

Signs of Burnout

How do you know when you’re experiencing mommy burnout? While every woman is different, below are some signs that you shouldn’t ignore. 

Lack of Concentration

Is it hard for you to focus at home or work? Do you find your mind drifting off or so consumed that you have a million things on your mind at once?

If so, you could be on the verge of burning out. 

Forgetfulness

While forgetting something on occasion is common for anyone, this is a red flag if it’s starting to happen to you more often than not.

Perhaps you forgot to pick up the kids from school even though you do it every day or you are missing deadlines at work.

Whatever the case is, your mind is on overdrive, causing you to overlook things of importance. 

Moodiness

Moms are allowed to have emotional ups and downs from time to time, but if you can’t seem to regulate your emotions, it’s a sign you’re dealing with something more significant.

If you’re calm one minute and grumpy the next with no real explanation, it’s time to seek help. 

Lashing Out

Every woman would agree that sometimes your kids drive you up the wall, but if you’ve reached a point where you’re yelling at your kids unnecessarily, burnout is likely on the horizon.

If things the kids do are starting to get to you more than usual, or you’re lashing out just because, it’s a sign that you’re emotionally overwhelmed and need a break. 

Lack of Self-Care

Are you skipping meals, forgetting to shower, or barely doing your hair and makeup?

When you feel inundated by your emotions and responsibilities, the first thing you often neglect is your health and wellness.

If you’re going days without keeping up with personal routines or taking care of your health, this is a warning sign that you need to get support from others. 

Extreme Fatigue

It’s not uncommon for moms to experience a few restless nights at the expense of their kids, but you need sleep to function.

If you’re going days or weeks without getting at least 7-9 hours of rest, it’s time to make a change.

Similarly, if you are getting the required amount of sleep but you wake the following day wanting to go back to bed, this is a sign of mental exhaustion that needs to be examined. 

Substance Abuse

You hear stories all the time about women drinking a glass of wine at the end of the day to ease the tension.

Be that as it may, if a glass of wine turns into a bottle or other substances regularly, this is not a good sign.

To get adequate treatment, you should probably find out about the programs offered for alcohol or drug detox in Houston or whatever city you live in. 

Most mothers want nothing more than to love, nurture, provide, and support their families. In an effort to do so, some women will go to great lengths that ultimately backfire.

When you’re trying to do so much for your children that you neglect your needs, it will eventually lead to a problem for the entire family.

Ultimately, if you’ve noticed any of the signs listed above, reach out to your primary care doctor, therapist, or detox center for further assistance and treatment.