Being a working mom is one of the most rewarding yet exhausting roles I have ever taken on. I love my job, and I love my son, but juggling both has often left me feeling stretched too thin. Some days, I feel like I’m doing great, balancing deadlines and bedtime stories. Other days, I’m drowning in a sea of never-ending responsibilities, guilt, and exhaustion. If you’re feeling this way, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Working mom burnout is real, and I’ve been there. Through trial, error, and lots of self-reflection, I’ve found ways to cope and thrive, and I want to share them with you.
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout
The first step in dealing with burnout is recognizing it. For me, it started with constant fatigue, no matter how much I slept. I would snap at my son over little things, struggle to concentrate at work, and feel emotionally drained. I was giving so much to my family and job that there was nothing left for myself. If you’re feeling irritable, exhausted, or overwhelmed, take it as a sign that something needs to change.
Mastering Time Management: Work Smarter, Not Harder
One of the biggest challenges of being a working mom is time management. It often feels like there’s never enough time to do everything, but I’ve learned that being intentional about how I use my time makes a huge difference.
- Prioritize Ruthlessly – I used to think I had to do it all—be the perfect employee, the perfect mom, the perfect homemaker. But I realized that not everything is equally important. Now, I prioritize my tasks by urgency and importance. Some days, that means skipping laundry to play with my son. Other days, it means ordering takeout so I can meet a work deadline.
- Use Time Blocks – I’ve started using time blocks to structure my day. I dedicate specific times to work, family, and personal time. This helps me stay focused and prevents tasks from bleeding into each other.
- Set Boundaries – Learning to say no has been life-changing. I used to take on every extra work assignment and say yes to every school volunteer request, even when I didn’t have the bandwidth. Now, I set clear boundaries and remind myself that saying no to something means saying yes to my well-being.
Practicing Self-Care Without Guilt
Self-care used to feel like a luxury I couldn’t afford. But I’ve learned that when I neglect myself, I have less to give to my son and my work. Prioritizing self-care has made me a better mom and a more focused employee.
- Small Acts of Self-Care Matter – I used to think self-care meant spa days and vacations. While those are nice, self-care can also be as simple as enjoying a quiet cup of coffee before my son wakes up, reading a few pages of a book, or taking a walk during lunch.
- Schedule “Me Time” – Just like I schedule meetings at work, I schedule time for myself. Whether it’s 30 minutes of yoga or watching my favorite show, I treat it as a non-negotiable appointment.
- Ask for Help – This was a tough one for me. I used to feel like I had to do everything myself, but I’ve learned that asking for help doesn’t make me weak—it makes me human. Whether it’s my partner, a friend, or a babysitter, having support makes all the difference.
Overcoming Mom Guilt
Mom guilt is something I battle daily. When I’m at work, I feel guilty for not being with my son. When I’m with him, I feel guilty for not being more productive at work. The guilt used to consume me, but I’ve learned to manage it in healthier ways.
- Redefine “Quality Time” – I used to think I needed to spend hours doing Pinterest-worthy activities with my son to be a good mom. But I’ve realized that what matters most is being present. Even if it’s just 15 minutes of undistracted playtime, it makes a difference.
- Challenge Unrealistic Expectations – Social media makes it seem like other moms have it all together, but the truth is, no one does. I remind myself that I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.
- Focus on What You’re Teaching Your Child – I want my son to grow up seeing a mom who pursues her passions and works hard. Instead of feeling guilty for working, I remind myself that I’m setting an example of resilience and dedication.
Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process, but I’ve found a few strategies that help me maintain it.
- Create a Separation Between Work and Home – Since I sometimes work from home, I set clear boundaries. When my workday ends, I shut down my laptop and mentally switch to “mom mode.”
- Communicate With Your Employer – I used to hesitate to ask for flexibility at work, but many employers are more understanding than we realize. Whether it’s remote work options or adjusting my schedule, having an open conversation about my needs has been a game-changer.
- Be Present in the Moment – When I’m with my son, I try to put my phone away and give him my full attention. When I’m working, I focus fully on the task at hand. This helps me feel more balanced instead of always feeling torn between two worlds.
You Are Doing Enough
To every working mom reading this, I want you to know: you are doing enough. Some days will be messy, some days will be exhausting, but you are showing up, and that’s what matters. Take a deep breath, give yourself grace, and remember—you are not alone in this journey. We’re all in this together, and we’ve got this, mom.
How to Deal with Working Mom Burnout
Being a working mom is one of the most rewarding yet exhausting roles I have ever taken on. I love my job, and I love my son, but juggling both has often left me feeling stretched too thin. Some days, I feel like I’m doing great, balancing deadlines and bedtime stories. Other days, I’m drowning in a sea of never-ending responsibilities, guilt, and exhaustion. If you’re feeling this way, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Working mom burnout is real, and I’ve been there. Through trial, error, and lots of self-reflection, I’ve found ways to cope and thrive, and I want to share them with you.
Recognizing the Signs of Burnout
The first step in dealing with burnout is recognizing it. For me, it started with constant fatigue, no matter how much I slept. I would snap at my son over little things, struggle to concentrate at work, and feel emotionally drained. I was giving so much to my family and job that there was nothing left for myself. If you’re feeling irritable, exhausted, or overwhelmed, take it as a sign that something needs to change.
Mastering Time Management: Work Smarter, Not Harder
One of the biggest challenges of being a working mom is time management. It often feels like there’s never enough time to do everything, but I’ve learned that being intentional about how I use my time makes a huge difference.
- Prioritize Ruthlessly – I used to think I had to do it all—be the perfect employee, the perfect mom, the perfect homemaker. But I realized that not everything is equally important. Now, I prioritize my tasks by urgency and importance. Some days, that means skipping laundry to play with my son. Other days, it means ordering takeout so I can meet a work deadline.
- Use Time Blocks – I’ve started using time blocks to structure my day. I dedicate specific times to work, family, and personal time. This helps me stay focused and prevents tasks from bleeding into each other.
- Set Boundaries – Learning to say no has been life-changing. I used to take on every extra work assignment and say yes to every school volunteer request, even when I didn’t have the bandwidth. Now, I set clear boundaries and remind myself that saying no to something means saying yes to my well-being.
Practicing Self-Care Without Guilt
Self-care used to feel like a luxury I couldn’t afford. But I’ve learned that when I neglect myself, I have less to give to my son and my work. Prioritizing self-care has made me a better mom and a more focused employee.
- Small Acts of Self-Care Matter – I used to think self-care meant spa days and vacations. While those are nice, self-care can also be as simple as enjoying a quiet cup of coffee before my son wakes up, reading a few pages of a book, or taking a walk during lunch.
- Schedule “Me Time” – Just like I schedule meetings at work, I schedule time for myself. Whether it’s 30 minutes of yoga or watching my favorite show, I treat it as a non-negotiable appointment.
- Ask for Help – This was a tough one for me. I used to feel like I had to do everything myself, but I’ve learned that asking for help doesn’t make me weak—it makes me human. Whether it’s my partner, a friend, or a babysitter, having support makes all the difference.
Overcoming Mom Guilt
Mom guilt is something I battle daily. When I’m at work, I feel guilty for not being with my son. When I’m with him, I feel guilty for not being more productive at work. The guilt used to consume me, but I’ve learned to manage it in healthier ways.
- Redefine “Quality Time” – I used to think I needed to spend hours doing Pinterest-worthy activities with my son to be a good mom. But I’ve realized that what matters most is being present. Even if it’s just 15 minutes of undistracted playtime, it makes a difference.
- Challenge Unrealistic Expectations – Social media makes it seem like other moms have it all together, but the truth is, no one does. I remind myself that I’m doing my best, and that’s enough.
- Focus on What You’re Teaching Your Child – I want my son to grow up seeing a mom who pursues her passions and works hard. Instead of feeling guilty for working, I remind myself that I’m setting an example of resilience and dedication.
Maintaining a Healthy Work-Life Balance
Achieving work-life balance is an ongoing process, but I’ve found a few strategies that help me maintain it.
- Create a Separation Between Work and Home – Since I sometimes work from home, I set clear boundaries. When my workday ends, I shut down my laptop and mentally switch to “mom mode.”
- Communicate With Your Employer – I used to hesitate to ask for flexibility at work, but many employers are more understanding than we realize. Whether it’s remote work options or adjusting my schedule, having an open conversation about my needs has been a game-changer.
- Be Present in the Moment – When I’m with my son, I try to put my phone away and give him my full attention. When I’m working, I focus fully on the task at hand. This helps me feel more balanced instead of always feeling torn between two worlds.
You Are Doing Enough
To every working mom reading this, I want you to know: you are doing enough. Some days will be messy, some days will be exhausting, but you are showing up, and that’s what matters. Take a deep breath, give yourself grace, and remember—you are not alone in this journey. We’re all in this together, and we’ve got this, mom.
