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Moms are probably the busiest people on earth. It’s a fulltime job that requires tons of energy and a range of different skills. But just like everyone else, this means that they get tired and frustrated and can experience burnout. Your mom might be your superhero but she’s human and needs to learn a few ways to destress. Burnout is a feeling based on a reality that life is too hard to cope with or we just don’t know how to handle it. With so much to do and with little time to do it, stress will slowly eat up your energy and cause burnout. Trying to balance the pressures at work, personal life, your relationships and catering to the needs of your kids can leave you seeing stars. And no matter how resourceful you are, there may be a time where you hit your limit and can’t seem to keep up with all the demands. For moments like those, here are a couple of ways to cope with the stress of being a fulltime mom!
1. Ditch Perfection And Welcome Creativity
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Nothing’s perfect; not your kids, not you and certainly not the rigorous schedule you’ve planned for yourself. And that’s okay! Chances are that your need to do everything and do it well is getting you nowhere and the mountain of things you need to do will just keep growing. Instead of striving for perfection, which is a total action blocker, think of creative ways to get the small tasks done. Creativity might just be the answer to most of your problems as a working mother. It makes you think and act in better ways in order to survive the day. Your motto must be “Work hard not smart”.
But how do you get creative? Well this usually stems from enjoyment. Besides, how long has it been since you had an enjoyable moment with your kids? When you open your heart to enjoyment, you address your responsibilities in a more self-preserving way. This starts with even the smallest of things. You and the kids could have a dance party while mopping the floor and the one with the mop can dictate the dance move that everyone does. You could have an impromptu karaoke session while cleaning the house. Doing something you love and getting the whole family involved is a great way to enjoy menial tasks.
2. Learn To Trust Your Kids
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我们得到它,你的孩子是你的财宝,但做的esn’t mean that you need to keep an eye on them 24/7. This will only work you up and make you anxious. But you need to trust in your ability to parent when and give your kids the right tools to make good decisions. Drowning in responsibility can make you forget to trust your kids and their ability to solve problems and enjoy themselves positively. Parent the way it is right for you. Sometimes the stress of setting up an enriching environment for kids to develop well in can end up causing such a hassle that it defeats the entire purpose of it being put in place. Take a step back, assess the situation and do what’s best for your family. If you can’t drive the kids to extracurricular activities every day of the week, that’s fine. They learn more from playing anyway. Take things at your own pace and trust your kids to fill in the blanks.
3. The Workspace Cares For You
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Support for working moms (or parents in general) is becoming the norm. This is a big win for parents everywhere. Companies are now taking note of their employees’ needs and are catering to their kids as well by making new HR policies. They are focused on building a safe space where working moms and parents can feel safe at their workplace in every condition or situation. This kind of empowerment in the workspace has become integral for the company’s success. This means that there may be a daycare in your company that can take care of your kids while you work. Or extended maternity leave that you can apply for while expecting. Check your company’s policies and see how well it seeks to facilitate your lifestyle and responsibilities.
4. Be Aware Of What Gives You Energy
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If you are all burnt out, it’s time to replenish your cup. You need to figure out what helps you recharge and relax. Is it a weekend away from the kids? Do you need a day to yourself? Maybe it’s your partner pampering you or a night out with your girlfriends. Whatever the case may be, it’s time to take care of yourself. If these things just aren’t possible to arrange at the moment, think of the little things you look forward to. For example, your kids hugging you, laughing with your coworkers or having a meal cooked for you at home. You can gain little boosts of energy by looking out for these gestures.
A mom’s life is hard, especially when you need to juggle adult life as well. But this doesn’t mean that you need to be exhausted forever. With a few tools, you’ll be able to cope with the pressure like a pro!
