Feeling Good Enough: Strategies to Reset After a Challenging Parenting Moment

Last week, after another whirlwind morning with the kids, I drove back home with tears in my eyes.

The Reality of Mom Burnout: Physical and Mental Exhaustion

Physically? I was drained. From packing lunches and filling water bottles to holding tiny hands and comforting big feelings—it adds up, especially when you’re running on just a few hours of sleep. But even more than that, I was mentally exhausted.

My first-grader was heartbroken. His birthday party had to be canceled yet again because he can home the day before with a fever. His disappointment felt so big, and in that moment, it weighed on me too. My newborn daughter, sweet as she is, needs me every few hours through the night. And my middle-child? He clung to my leg at school drop-off, teary-eyed, begging me not to leave.

It was only 9:30 in the morning, yet I already felt completely spent.

What I wanted was a cozy moment of peace—curled up on the couch, a cup of tea in hand, disappearing into the pages of my favorite romance novel. But that wasn’t an option.

Real life meant I had deadlines, clients, and a mountain of tasks waiting. So how do we shift from a challenging morning and find focus when we have so much pulling on our energy?

Rushing Through the Day: Why Ignoring Emotions Hurts Productivity

In the past, I would’ve hustled straight up to my desk, fired up the laptop, and plowed through the to-do list. Maybe you’ve been there too. You tell yourself there’s no time to pause, no time to process. You just push forward.

But here’s the thing: when we rush to bury those emotions without addressing them, they linger. Like the background noise of a TV playing in the next room—faint, but there, affecting you.

The Hidden Cost of Mom Burnout: How Unresolved Emotions Resurface

Unchecked, those feelings find a way to resurface. Maybe it’s later in the day, when you’re back with the kids and they’re squabbling, or when your partner’s left a mess in the kitchen. It could be in a work meeting when a colleague asks just one more question.

How to Break the Cycle: Reclaiming Focus and Energy with a Simple Pause

It’s human to want to escape tough moments, but here’s the truth: we don’t need hours of alone time to recenter ourselves. Sometimes, a pause of just a few seconds can make all the difference.

Two Simple Steps to Manage Mom Burnout

Try this:

1. Acknowledge What’s Happening: Think of it as giving yourself the same empathy you’d offer a friend. Recognize what you’re feeling—whether it’s frustration, sadness, or even just fatigue.

2. Ask Yourself What You Need: For me, that morning, I realized I hadn’t had my morningOvercoming Mom Burnout: Practical Strategies for Finding Balance and Renewed Energy coffee, and I just needed five quiet minutes before diving into work. Sometimes it’s that simple. Other times, it might be a deep breath, a quick stretch, or a little fresh air.

   
   

It doesn’t take much time, but I promise, it makes a world of difference!

From Survival to Thriving: Practical Self-Care Tips for Busy Moms

Transitioning from “mom mode” to “work mode” can feel abrupt, and while it’s tempting to power through, these tiny moments to check in with yourself can save you energy, bring clarity, and keep you present through the day.

Embracing the Journey: Small Steps to Overcome Mom Burnout Every Day

Coaching isn’t always about strategy and schedules. Often, it’s about these moments of reconnection—pausing in the chaos and honoring the fact that, yes, this is hard. And yet, you’re showing up. With the right support, you can navigate even the toughest days.