Being A Mom Is Hard - Lighten The Load - 365 Health and Wellness Mama!

I think all moms agree that being a mom is hard!

Motherhood is a full-time job, and it doesn’t come with a break. I have always been told that being a mother is one of the hardest jobs there is, but I never understood just how hard it was until I became one myself. What’s just as hard is the fact that men don’t understand what moms are going through.

But what makes being a mom so hard, and how do we lighten the load? I’ll discuss that and more in this article. Also, don’t forget to download my FREE Being A Mother Quotes below!

You can also visit my Being A Mother Quotes article and read them there!

What Husbands Don’t Understand About Being A Mom

Being a mom is hard. Men often don’t understand the burdens that women bear when they become mothers. They don’t get why it’s so stressful, or why we have to give up so much of ourselves to do it well.

1. It’s extremely difficult to get back into a regular routine.

While we are recovering from childbirth and taking care of the baby, it’s hard to find time for ourselves or even take care of ourselves properly. This can be especially true if you are breastfeeding. We are at the mercy of our children’s schedule, which is to some extent irregular.

2. Men think it’s easy to get back into shape after pregnancy, but quite honestly, they don’t seem to know what they’re talking about when they say that.

It’s not like we can just go running on the treadmill or do a few squats and be back in fighting form again. We also have to be very careful about how much we exercise, because if we overdo it, we will prevent our bodies from healing properly. It honestly feels like our bodies have turned against us!

3. Men don’t seem to ever fully understand the mental toll that having children has on women.

It’s just a fact of life that men seem to never fully understand how much mental energy women have to put into raising children and keeping the household running. It’s not like there aren’t any other stresses in life, but when you’re at home with kids all day long then it seems like everything is about them—their moods, their needs, their wants and desires (and sometimes even their demands).

4. What men don’t understand about being a mom is the emotional stress that comes with everything.

Men don’t realize how much heartache we feel when our kids are sick or having trouble at school or dealing with other kids’ parents who fail miserably at parenting skills themselves. Men also fail utterly at understanding how much pressure women feel as mothers all throughout their lives. Especially those who’ve had multiple children within short spans of time.

20 Reasons Being A Mom Is Hard

1. The house stays messy no matter how hard we work.

2. It’s hard to spend quality time with our spouses/significant others.

3. We’re always tired.

4. We feel guilty when we focus on something other than our children.

5. We have little to no time for ourselves.

6. The constant multitasking takes a toll on our mind and body.

7. We spend a lot of time dealing with, and trying to prevent, the unexpected. Which is nerve wrecking!

8. We’re expected to be superwoman at all times.

9. Mommy Brain. Our brain is more focused on our children rather than other people or tasks.

10. We worry about our children all day every day.

11. We have to be on call 24/7, even when we are not at home or in their child’s presence.

12. We are constantly worried about our children and what they could get into while they are away from us (this can lead to stress, exhaustion or sometimes even depression).

13. When our kids aren’t developing “normally” we feel like failures.

14. We are often in the company of only other moms, which contributes to us losing our identity, only being seen as “mom”.

15. Being a mom is all-consuming. It’s hard to find time for yourself, because you’re always doing something for your family.

16. It’s physically exhausting.

17. It’s mentally exhausting.

18. It’s emotionally exhausting.

19. We don’t even get to go to the bathroom alone anymore. This means our days start and end with our children.

20. We are the primary caregiver, so they spend the majority of their time with us.

8 Ways To Lessen The Burden

1. Get support from friends and family.

Your friends can be great sounding boards, and so can other parents who’ve been there before you. And if nothing else, consider hiring a nanny, or signing them up for an after-school program.

2. Tell your spouse to step up!

If you’re like me, you exhaust yourself trying to be everything to everyone. STOP! You are not superwoman, and you don’t have to be. Be open and honest with your spouse about needing support. Let them help you! This was hard for me because I felt like if I couldn’t do it alone, I was a failure.

3. Try a babysitter or Nanny.

Get a babysitter or nanny and recharge your batteries so that you can be better equipped with energy when dealing with your children again.

4. Practice self-care.

Practicing self-care helps support anyone’s ability to deal with stressors in their lives; no matter what type of stressors you’re experiencing. Try some meditation and yoga! I recommend 7 Minute Mindfulness, Ziva, Yoga Download, Shvasa Authentic Yoga, and INeedMotivation.com.

Read my article, 9 Types of Self-care for more information on self-care and a FREE plan template!

5. Find a therapist.

I know, I know! Most moms think having to go to a therapy means they are failing. YOU’RE NOT! It means you are going the extra mile to make sure you are in the best shape for your family. I recommend Online Therapy, MyWellbeing, TalkSpace, and Calmerry.

6. Make time for yourself.

Manicures and pedicures can make all the difference when you need something quick and easy that will make you feel like an adult again, even if it’s just for one hour at the salon! Don’t be afraid to take a nap or go for a walk by yourself every once in a while. You deserve it!

I highly recommend Spa Finder and Spa Week. They offer millions of gift cards to spas around the country! You are guaranteed to find a spa near you!

7. Make time for your partner.

Your partner is just as important as your kids. You need to spend time so that you remain an individual, and not just a mom. It’s also how you maintain a healthy, happy relationship.

8. Be kind to yourself.

Your body is different now than before having children: not just physically but mentally as well—so don’t expect yourself to perform like an athlete anymore because IT’S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN!! Embrace this change in lifestyle with open arms.

Final Thoughts: Being A Mom Is Hard

Being a mom is hard work. It’s full of surprises and unexpected challenges that no one else sees. The most important thing we can do is remember to take care of ourselves too, so we can stay healthy and happy for our kids.

Remember Mama, self-care is not selfish. Don’t lose your individuality to being “Mom”. You are still a person with needs. And in case no one has told you, you rock Mama!

Download my FREE Being A Mother Quotes, so you have inspiration on those rainy days! Here is a SAMPLE, in case you’re wondering what the being a mother quotes look like! If you post to social media, be sure to tag me!