Hi there Mom :)
Be sure to read a great article at the end of this week's
newsletter - it's about Mommy Burnout!
Remember last Monday I told you about staying up all night
cuddling Max? His crankiness and fever turned out to be a
serious infection and he had to be hospitalized for a few days
on IV antibiotics.
Fortunately, he bounced back quickly and came home quicker than
the doctors had originally forcast. He's home and doing
just great!
This
week on
Mom's Morning Show we are talking about 'Bitterness and
Boundaries: Making and Breaking Relationships in Life and
Business.' It's an deep topic full of emotion and
personal stories from our Mom's Morning Show Crew members.
I
hope you'll come listen in and participate!
Kelly McCausey
mom (at) momstalknetwork.com
Mommy Burnout -
6 Ways to Lose It
By Carrie Lauth
Feeling burnout as a Mom is very common. It does not mean that
you are failing as a Mom. It’s mostly due to the isolation that
a lot of Moms face in our culture, as well as the overscheduling
and overwork that a lot of us deal with.
Here are 6 things you can do to prevent burnout and treat it if
it comes up.
Find your tribe
Find a support group of like minded Moms. There are neighbors,
people you worship with, family, Moms at storytime, the park, or
anywhere else Moms hang out. It’s extremely important for Moms
to have a social network. Talk about your feelings with someone
who won’t judge you, and return the favor. Spend time with good
friends, and don’t forget to nurture your relationship with your
spouse.
Set boundaries
Setting good boundaries isn’t just about limits with your kids.
Boundaries are something that protect you from being
overburdened with other people’s responsibilities. Learn to say
no to things that don’t honor your values, and don’t overextend
yourself.
Lose the guilt
Don’t feel like you’re a bad Mom because you feel burnout from
time to time. In fact, you are probably a very conscientious Mom
who is neglecting her own needs! Be as forgiving and empathic
with yourself as you are with your kids, and remember, when you
take care of your own needs, you’re in better shape to care for
your family. It’s kind of like when the flight attendant tells
you to put on your own oxygen mask first in case of emergency!
Take care of your body
Eating poorly leads to fatigue and stress. Nurture your body
with healthy foods and avoid excessive caffeine and sugar, which
only deplete you.
Exercise is also very important because it helps you deal with
stress and floods your body with endorphins, the “feel good
hormones”. Don’t make excuses! Get moving for 20 minutes a day.
It doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Walking is one
of the best exercises you can do.
Exercise is also good for the kids because it helps them
discharge excess energy that they may have from being inside too
much.
Spending some time every day in the sun is also a good idea.
Sunlight improves mood and helps
you sleep better.
Take a break
Nurture yourself every single day in small ways. Take a hot bath
by yourself. Go outside for a few minutes and breathe deeply.
Say your prayers, journal, pursue a hobby that you love. Even if
all you can do are 5 minute increments, take the time!
Focus on what’s truly important
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, remind yourself that the most
important things on your to do list are your children, not the
dishes or the dusty blinds. Put everything aside for 15 minutes
and just play with your kids. Have fun, laugh together, spend
time in nature together, and enjoy life. The rest can wait. Kids
have a way of growing up despite us. And keep hugging those
babies!
Carrie Lauth is a Mom of 4 and the host of
Natural Moms Talk Radio.
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