I have two small children, and let me tell you, life with little ones is beautiful, chaotic, and incredibly draining all at once. The love they give is endless, but so is the energy they need. Every day I’m balancing between being a present mom, serving them good food, helping them learn new skills, and trying to keep up with everything else life throws at me. It’s hard to admit that sometimes it all becomes too much, but the truth is, I’ve learned to recognize the signs of exhaustion creeping in—and maybe you’ve felt them too.
Here are a few signs that you’re an exhausted mom:
1. You Forget Simple Things (Constantly)
I used to have a pretty good memory. But these days? I’ll walk into a room and completely forget why. I’m talking about asking the kids what they want for lunch… and then realizing 30 minutes later I don’t remember the answer. Or putting the laundry in the washer and only remembering when I need the same clothes the next day. It’s like my brain has too many tabs open, and I just can’t keep up.
2. The Guilt Hits Hard
Oh, the mom guilt. When I’m exhausted, it seems to amplify. If I let them watch TV so I can have a moment of peace, I feel guilty. If I don’t cook a “perfect” meal with lots of greens and instead go for quick fixes, I feel like I’m failing them. I know deep down they’re happy and thriving, but the pressure to be the perfect mom never really fades. Exhaustion makes it even harder to drown out that inner critic.
3. You’re Running on Coffee
I wake up tired, no matter how much sleep I’ve had. There’s always a little weight on my shoulders, whether it’s thinking about what’s for dinner or how to tackle the mountain of laundry. By noon, I’m already reaching for another cup of coffee just to stay afloat. It feels like a never-ending loop, where caffeine and tiny sugary treats are my survival tools.
4. Your Patience is Paper-Thin
I’ll be honest here—there are days when the sound of whining just sets me off. Normally, I’m pretty calm, but when I’m running on fumes, every little thing gets to me. Whether it’s the spilled juice, the toys scattered all over the living room (again), or the constant “Mommy, look at this!”—my patience feels like it’s hanging on by a thread. And then comes the guilt again, for snapping when I wish I could be more composed.
5. You Crave Alone Time, But Feel Guilty About It
There’s a strange dynamic where I desperately want some alone time, but as soon as I get it, I miss my kids. It’s like I’m torn between needing space to recharge and feeling like I should be with them every second, soaking up these precious years. But when you’re exhausted, the yearning for a moment of peace is real. Yet, even in that silence, there’s a nagging voice reminding me of the million things I could be doing for them.
6. You Feel Like You’re Never “On Top of It”
I’ll be honest, some days it feels like I’m constantly chasing a to-do list that’s a mile long. I’m talking about days where I plan to do all these productive things, but end up managing the bare minimum. Whether it’s meal prep, school forms, playdates, or just tidying up—there’s always something I’m behind on. It feels like no matter how much I do, I’m never quite on top of it all. And the weight of that can be overwhelming.
7. You’ve Cried in the Shower
I’m not proud of this, but it’s true. There have been moments when it all feels too much, and the only place I can let it out is in the shower. Something about the water streaming down feels like a release, even if it’s just for a few minutes. The tears, the frustration, the sheer exhaustion—all of it comes out in those private moments where no one is asking anything of me.
8. You’re Running on Autopilot
Some days, I feel like I’m just going through the motions. Get up, get the kids dressed, feed them breakfast, clean up, entertain them, prepare lunch—it’s the same routine every day. I know I’m physically there, but I’m not always mentally present. When the exhaustion hits, it’s like I’m on autopilot, just trying to make it through the day, instead of enjoying the moments. And that’s probably one of the hardest things to admit.
So, What Can We Do?
The truth is, exhaustion doesn’t go away with just one night of sleep or one afternoon off. It’s a deeper kind of tiredness that comes from constantly putting others first. But here’s what I’ve learned along the way:
- Give yourself grace. You’re doing your best, even on the days when you feel like you’re failing. Your kids love you for you, not because you’ve made a gourmet dinner or kept the house spotless.
- Ask for help. This one’s hard for me, but when I do reach out, whether it’s my partner, a friend, or family, I feel such a relief. You’re not meant to do it all alone.
- Take breaks, guilt-free. I’m learning that I can’t pour from an empty cup. Sometimes, just sitting alone for 10 minutes with a book or taking a walk without little hands tugging at me makes a world of difference.
So, if you’re an exhausted mom like me, remember—you’re not alone. We’re all just trying to navigate this beautiful, messy, overwhelming journey together. And even on the hardest days, you’re enough. Take care of yourself, mama. You deserve it.