Inside: Ever have those moments where you feel really discouraged and even overwhelmed? We all have them, so you’re not alone. Thankfully, encouragement for moms can come in all shapes and forms. These 7 tips will help reduce the overwhelm and lift your spirits.
Dear Overwhelmed Mom,
Being a parent is hard…like REALLY hard.
Yet, you show up every day because you love those around you more than anything else.
Even when you feel exhausted, have repeated yourself 5-million times, or done 10 loads of laundry, you still get the job done.
And sometimes you might hide in the bathroom to eat that last little bit of chocolate too.
No judgment.
It’s in those moments you need to realize you are not alone. You are not alone in your journey.
We all worry about our kids making friends at school or treating others kindly or telling us the truth when we ask the hard questions.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg. No one sees the 80% below the surface.
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But I See You
I see you, and I may not even know you.
While our winding paths may never cross, the way we travel is not too different from each other.
We all kiss “boo-boos,” tell our kids to share and try to raise the best darn kids on the planet.
I see you because I see your reflection every day in your child in my classroom.
You are the most powerful influence in your child’s life. Never underestimate it.
Our energy usually runs on coffee, hugs, kisses, and more coffee. And maybe a smile or two along with “please” and “thank you.”
I see you because I get accidentally called “mom” several times a day whether it’s after giving an encouraging word or a small scolding when they’ve slipped up. They know they’re loved by you.
If you could peek over my shoulder in class, you’d see that they know you’re doing the best job you can because they defend you against even the dumbest yo’ mama jokes.
So, this is for you.
This is an encouragement for moms who feel frazzled, overwhelmed or just plain worn out.
Encouragement for Moms No Matter What
No matter if you’re:
…the single mom
…the working mom
…the tired mom
…the girl mom
…the boy mom
It’s easy to lose the big picture to all the chaos that’s usually swarming around us.
“The days are long, but the years are short.” ~Gretchen Rubin
But I want to say thank you.
Thank you for helping cultivate a sense of personal responsibility – even when it’s just easier to do it yourself.
Thank you for showing them they always need to do their best – even when you’re exhausted but still have a to-do list a mile long.
Thank you for teaching them to help others – even when they’re given nothing in return.
I know it’s never easy raising humans.
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Hope Where You Least Expect It
While we may not see the light at the end of the tunnel, know there’s always an end, even if it’s the slightest pinprick of light streaming into the darkness.
Hope in yourself. You are strong. You are capable, and you are worth it.
Take care of you, even if you feel you don’t have the extra time.
There’s a reason why the safety videos on airplanes tell you to put your mask on FIRST.
You won’t do much good for those around you if you’re passed out on the floor at 35,000 feet.
This might mean having to leave a few dirty dishes in the sink to get to bed at a decent hour. Or leaving laundry in the dryer for a couple extra days. Or oh the horror, your kid has to eat a bowl of cereal for dinner.
The Earth won’t stop spinning on its axis, and your kids won’t starve. (Though they might think it’s the end of the world if you make them eat cereal for dinner.)
These are called partial solutions. While they do solve the problem of needing clean clothes and eating a meal, they may not be exactly as you want them.
However, these partial solutions allow you to come up for air every once in a while to do something for yourself.
Even if you can only take a 5-minute breathing break in the bathroom, this will relieve some of your stress. And it gives you time to eat that piece of chocolate without sharing or read a few pages of that book you’ve been wanting to finish.
Imperfect and That’s OK
Simplify where you need to simplify and leave everything else alone. Not everything has to be perfect.
Why is it that moms are the worst when it comes to comparing ourselves to others?
…Her house is so clean and organized.
…She always cooks 4-course meals for her family.
…How is she always dressed and put-together with 5 kids?
We need to realize that we all have our own unique gifts and abilities, which makes no one person better than the other.
It sometimes takes a lot of trial and error and some positive thinking to get you back on track. Positive mantras can do wonders for your outlook on life when the going gets tough.
And remember, just do you. Don’t worry about what anyone else is doing. Sometimes that means you have to say no.
Maybe your budget isn’t perfect or your house isn’t the cleanest on the block, but maybe you’re the best mom you can be.
It may even mean you buy the premade cupcakes at the bakery rather than making them from scratch for your child’s birthday. Hey, at least you remembered. That’s a partial solution.
RELATED POST: How to Learn to Say No
A Little Humor Goes a Long Way
Laughter is good medicine for your soul. We, moms, need to laugh more. Even when your toddler writes all over your favorite bag or breaks your cherished mug.
I couldn’t help but leave you with some funny words of wisdom to lift your spirits just a little.
Check out these mom quotes, and I’m sure you’ll laugh and nod your head along the way:
- “If you wear white, know that in 2.5 seconds it will get dirty.”
- “If you’re tired, they will NOT be.”
- “If you ever go missing, tell them to follow your kids. They’ll find you, no matter where you try to hide.”
- “Raising a kid is part joy and part guerilla warfare.”
- “We used to have functioning brain cells, but then we traded them in for children.”
- “Dance like only your kid is watching. Cook like no one will scream they hate it. And sneeze like you won’t pee your pants.” 😉
And one last thing…repeat after me:
“I know how to do anything…I’m a mom.”
Download the 7 Tips to Reduce the Overwhelm
You’re stronger than you think, but we all need encouragement every now and then. I created a little reminder for you of the 7 tips I shared today, so you can change your thought patterns and lift your spirits. I also created printable cards you can cut out and carry with you.
- Click the button below to download your free reminders, plus join my newsletter!
- Print. They won’t do you any good staying on your computer.
- Fill out while rereading the above encouragement. Repeat when necessary, so you’ll have a better chance of success.
- Hang them in a place where you can see them. We all need visual reminders.
Your Turn
What’s your best encouragement for tired moms?
Share in the comments below. Let this be a place where we can all encourage each other.
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