Let’s be real: being a working mom is like juggling flaming swords while riding a unicycle, on a tightrope, over a pit of screaming toddlers. If you’ve ever collapsed onto your bed wondering how you’re still alive after another exhausting day, this one’s for you.
The truth? Most of us are making critical mistakes that fast-track us to burnout. The good news? You can fix them before you officially lose your mind. Here are the five biggest mistakes working moms make, and how to stop the madness.
1. Trying to Be Superwoman (Spoiler Alert: She Doesn’t Exist)
You know her, the mom who bakes organic cookies, crushes deadlines at work, remembers every PTA meeting, and still has time to do yoga. She’s a myth. And trying to be her? It’s killing you.
Fix it: Give yourself permission to be “good enough.” Buy store-bought cookies. Say no to things that don’t serve you. Delegate! Your family is perfectly capable of putting their own dishes in the sink (yes, even the kids).
2. Putting Yourself Dead Last
Repeat after me: You cannot pour from an empty cup. If you keep neglecting yourself to prioritize work, kids, and house chores, burnout isn’t just possible, it’s inevitable.
Fix it: Schedule self-care like a non-negotiable work meeting. A 10-minute coffee break, a solo walk, or an uninterrupted Netflix binge, it all counts. If your family can survive a zombie apocalypse movie, they can survive without you for 30 minutes.
3. Thinking ‘Me Time’ Is Selfish
The guilt is real. Every time you even think about taking a break, that little voice in your head whispers: Shouldn’t you be folding laundry or answering emails? Nope, you shouldn’t.
Fix it: Understand this, rested moms are better moms. Prioritizing yourself isn’t selfish; it’s strategic. Schedule a mani-pedi, read a book, or just sit in your car for five minutes of blissful silence before entering the chaos of home.
4. Saying ‘Yes’ to Everything (Even When You’re Drowning)
Why do we do this to ourselves? Agreeing to bake cupcakes for school, take on extra work, or host a dinner party when you’re already stretched thin is a one-way ticket to exhaustion.
Fix it: Get comfortable with one powerful word: No. Say it, own it, and watch your stress levels drop. “I’d love to help, but I can’t” is a complete sentence.
5. Expecting Perfection (When ‘Done’ Is Good Enough)
You want everything to be just right, the perfect career, the perfect home, the perfect parenting. But perfection is a trap, and chasing it will break you.
Fix it: Lower the bar. Your kids won’t remember if dinner was Pinterest-worthy, but they’ll remember if you were happy and present. Work deadlines? Prioritize, and let go of the minor details. Good enough is truly good enough.
Time to Take Back Your Sanity
The bottom line? You are human. You are doing enough. And it’s okay to let go of unrealistic expectations.
So tell me, what’s one thing you’re going to stop doing today to reclaim your sanity? Drop a comment below, and let’s start normalizing balance over burnout!