How To Deal With Mommy Stress
Hey y'all!
We have all had those days where we just can't seem to catch a break. Between kids, chores, school, work and taking care of your spouse and home, it's easy to become overwhelmed and stressed out. And lately, that's all my life has been. From the time I get up, to the time I crawl into bed, I am constantly dealing with fighting, complaining and tears over who ate what and who drank out of who's cup. It wasn't until today when I realized that I had reached my max stress level and what I needed to do to revert back.
I was uncharacteristically myself today, I
When my husband arrives home, he always helps me unwind. He takes on a lot of things that I didn't get to that day, he corrects the kids and most of the time, he is starting dinner. He truly is my rock and knight in shinning armor. But today was different, I allowed my stress to over shadow all the love. When he arrived, I started off complaining about feeling neglected when I wanted his time and how he always gives me too much attention at the wrong time (such a brat I know). I had allowed myself to be so negative and so stressed that I pushed my husband and kids away. And that is something that is NOT OK!!!
Once I felt like the world had it's back toward me and I ran into another room to sob my eyes out... it hit me! The kids are fed and full, the husband is taken care of and enjoying his time of making music and watching a game, why not use that as an opportunity of "neglect" to de- stress and relax. For once, the kids were getting along flawlessly, and my husband wasn't needing something. So I headed to my room and shut the rest of the world out. I put on my new favorite show and started brainstorming...
HOW CAN WE DEAL WITH MOM STRESS...
1. Step back and breathe- When you feel yourself becoming overwhelmed the best thing you can do is step back, relax and take a deep breath. I know it's harder than it seems but once you are able to acknowledge that you are starting to feel overwhelmed or stressed, you avoid that tipping point and the huge blow up. The last thing you want to do is go Batman over everything.
2. Pause- Whether you are doing your chores, helping with school work or whatever else you are doing that is not easing the stress, take a pause. It can wait. You need to be the best you before you can be the best mom or wife.
3. Watch something funny- Watching something funny is one of the best ways to escape the stress. I can't count how many times I had forgotten the stress of the day just by putting on a show or movie that is funny or even a favorite of mine. It also allows you to 1, breathe and 2, pause.
4. Practice self care- Taking a bubble bath, go for a walk, listen to music, hit the gym, read a book.. anything that gives the time you need to be alone and unwind is self care. Taking one day a week to really practice self care really helps with the stress and overwhelming life we have.
5. Ask for help- There is nothing wrong with asking for help. We all need help at some point and sometimes that will determine your breaking point. Having a friend or family member watch the kids for 2 or 3 hours so you can go on a date with your spouse or even yourself is a great simple way you could ask for help.
With social media, mom bloggers/ vloggers and the unrealistic reality t.v., we can start to feel inadequate with our lives. We start to feel like we are lacking in the parenting department, our kids are not as cool as theirs and our lives are not as perfect as theirs. So we get frustrated and we allow ourselves to try and be perfect which is only adding to our daily stress. The truth is, no matter how many times you hear it.. "no one is perfect"... you have to make yourself believe it.
In case you haven't heard it lately, YOU ARE DOING GREAT! YOU GOT THIS AND YOU ARE GOOD ENOUGH!
How do you deal with mom stress? Let me know in the comments below!
30 comments
All of your tips are good especially asking for help. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from family and friends. I would also suggest finding professional help to deal with stress it can be a great benefit.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Professional help is also a great idea.
DeleteI don't have kids but this tips help anybody dealing with stress. I have a lot of respect for mothers, I feel like I couldn't do it and ask myself every time: how do they do it?? It looks hard! To be honest, I never wanted kids because I'm scared.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Having kids is definitely something that you have to be ready for. Yes they are a blessing and they are also a lot of work. But when you see them grow right before your eyes.. you realize you could never love someone so much!
DeleteI always ask for help. I try to do everything myself and it can get overwhelming. I do not have kids but I do have a lot on my plate.
ReplyDeleteAsking for help can definitely lighten a load off the shoulders!
DeleteI don't have kids but this tips help anybody dealing with stress. Respect goes out to all the mothers out there.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It is a crazy job but I love it. I'm glad you find these tips helpful!
DeleteAwww. Thanks so much for this. Sometimes my life is crazy and I go bananas but I am grateful for an amazing hubby and sweet kids. I get overwhelmed most times but I would not have had it another way. So when I feel too bad I remind myself to enjoy the moment because someday they would leave home and I would wish for this day to come again.
ReplyDeleteYou are so welcome! I try to tell myself that everyday, because it is true... when they leave we will wish to start all over again.
DeleteI remember the days with little ones underfoot and they sure could be long. A few years ago I started a gratitude journal, and every time I feel like the world is too much, I draw a warm bath and thumb through it. It always reminds me that whatever the worries of the moment are, they're really pretty small and that I have so very much to be thankful for. x
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing idea! Seeing your blessings written out truly reminds us of what we have when we can't see it.
DeleteThese are great tips to deal with stress! I don't have kids but have lot of respect for mothers!!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am glad you found these helpful :)
DeleteI love the tip of sitting back and relax and breath is the start to dealing with mommy stress. I was really blessed with having a nanny for my kids when they were younger.
ReplyDeleteHow to Breakfast in Bed Like a Queen
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Thank you! Honestly that is the hardest one for me to do. I get so caught up in the moment and wanting to fix the situation then, that I forget to calm myself and handle it the right way.
DeleteThese tips are so universal! I don't have kids but I do have two toddler aged little brothers and it can feel like they're my kids sometimes haha. I will deffinately be using some of these methods. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am glad you could find these helpful. Toddler siblings can cause just as much stress as children simply because you have the responsibility of looking out for them when you didn't sign up for it lol.. I'm glad I could help!
Deletestepping back and breathing is the hardest yet simplest and most effective one for me (and for many of us, I'm sure!)... it's so hard to actually make ourselves let it go and breathe deeply ... but even 10 deep breaths immediately de-escalates our stress by a ton.
ReplyDeleteYES! It is one of my biggest struggles. But once I am able to fully take a deep breath and step back, I can see so much clearer.
DeleteI think these are some excellent tips for mothers. Being a mother isn't easy, and to be honest we don't really appreciate the women in our lives. How they work all day and night, make our homes functional, and be the best. Sometimes a simple hug can also destress. It shows you care and value.
ReplyDeleteYes! A hug or even a simple listening ear can go a long way.
DeleteI think these are some great tips for a motherhood. To be honest, being a mother is not really easy. make a house chores, take care for our children, how we work all day long is such a stressful thing. But the best way to eliminate stress is a hug and a smile from our beloved child.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! I have started taking more pictures of them too throughout the day.. when I feel upset or stressed I like to remind myself of those crazy photos and give myself a good laugh!
DeleteThese are all great tips. Getting out of the house by myself, even if just for a few minutes, is always helpful for me.
ReplyDeleteYes! little moments make a huge difference!
DeleteI think one of the biggest hurdles i’ve had to overcome is actually asking for help and i’m still not 100% there. A lot of the time I will bite the bullet and be sad just to say i did it. i believe i’m SUPER mom... but even supermom needs help sometimes. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteWe have all been there, more than once! The main thing to keep in mind is that you can't fill others cups when there is nothing in yours! (i think that's the quote lol).
DeleteThese are such awesome tips! I always struggle to ask for help and try to do EVERYTHING. I've had to learn to slow down and it made all the difference!
ReplyDeleteI know! Asking for help is something I am working on too. In my heart, I am Wonder Woman... but in reality... I am barely catwoman lol
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