Burnt out (adj.): A state in which you are mentally unable to handle any more stress. A state in which your energy and mental resources are depleted.
We all have moments in time in which we feel stressed, but sometimes we don’t even realize how burnt out we are even if others around us can see that we are. Being a burnt-out mom is not only bad for you, but it’s also bad for the people around you. Unfortunately, mothers are socialized to ignore their needs; taking care of us as mothers is considered selfish. Worse still, asking for help is seen as somewhat weak.
This cultural attitude of the “strong mom” is hurtful to mothers and women. Being strong doesn’t mean working yourself to death until you’re exhausted and mentally spent. Instead, think of your mothering “power” as a business: when a CEO needs someone to take over a department, a good CEO finds a manager to take charge. That manager then finds workers and fills his or her staff up with people to share the workload.
Read More: 4 Signs You’re Burnt Out as a Mom
Trying to Take it Easier,
So difficult to not burn yourself out when you’re a single mom. It takes a concerted effort, and sometimes you have to accept a burnout day where the kids eat cereal for every meal, and you refuse to put on pants.
Amen!