Moms are busy. There’s always something going on and honestly, it’s exhausting. Motherhood is wonderful and we love our kids but sometimes we feel burnt out. Here are some ways to overcome burnout in Motherhood.
“When do I get a break?” I said to myself as I ended my workout early to help my three-year-old go to the bathroom.
“When do I get a break?” I said to myself as I chased my one-year-old around, trying to wipe his snotty nose.
“When do I get a break?” I said to myself as I wiped the dog’s muddy paws.
“When do I get a break?”
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Burnout in Motherhood (Happens More Than We Realize)
It’s one of the biggest issues we as mother’s face. Finding time to reset, recharge and take a break.
It’s not that we don’t love our kids, it’s just that they are overwhelming when we are with them every waking hour. We’ve given up everything for them (literally, our entire physical existence has gone into keeping them alive). And there are some days when our soul aches for rest.
Perhaps you’ve felt it too. The exhaustion that settles in near the end of the day when you don’t think you can fight any more battles. It seeps into your bones and it feels as though you have to drag your body (and your toddler’s) upstairs to bed.
It’s infuriating and frustrating at the same time. We feel guilty because of course, we want to spend time with our children, nurturing them. But when do we get the chance to nurture our own souls?
The Simple Answer
The simple answer is we need God. We need God because God gives us rest. And that is what we need in the busy days of motherhood. We need to find downtime with Him.
It’s sounds all well and good but how do we find God and enjoy his rejuvenation when we can’t even go to the bathroom alone?
Let’s explore.
First Things First – Identify the Stage of Motherhood You’re In
Newborn stage? Baby stage? Toddler stage? Preschooler stage? Kid stage? Preteen stage? Teenager stage? Young adult stage? Combination of stages?
Whatever stage(s) you’re in will change what you need but it also impacts your physical limitations. Taking a break might mean physically laying down, especially in the newborn/baby stage as your body heals.
As your kids get older you likely will have more “time” to yourself. You might even be able to pull out your bible while your toddler plays for a few minutes.
Whatever stage, you probably feel busy. Like you constantly go from one activity (or disaster) to the next. Understanding this helps you accept your limitations and (lack of) rest. Sometimes rest in the sense of sitting down just isn’t possible. And you have to be ready to find rest in other ways.
Remember your stage won’t last forever and raising children is a God-given gift.
So find your stage. Where are you? God wants to meet you in whatever stage you are in. He wants to carry you through these stages if need be, because that’s the kind of God he is.
Great but how do I take a break?
Let’s Backtrack to the Beginning
So you’ve established what stage of motherhood you’re in. Regardless of where you’re at, you still need a break and for this we are going right to the start, in Genesis.
God rested. He built the world and then he took a break (Genesis 2:2-3). He is the almighty Lord, creator of heaven and earth and he took a break.
God rested! It’s like he knew there would be moms in the future trying to live their lives going at full speed 24/7 and he wanted to show them that it’s okay to rest. Building is hard work, whether it’s building the world or building tiny humans. Taking a break is a necessary part of the process.
So God instructed us to do the same. To take a day of rest to worship him, a sabbath. In other words, we renew our strength by being in his presence!
For whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.
Hebrews 4:10
Notice God didn’t say “take a day of self-care.” Don’t buy in to this worldly idea that taking time for ourselves by ourselves will recharge us. Sure we will feel better at first but the feeling fades and soon we need another “self-care” day.
What we need to do is let God take care of us. We need him to pour into our aching souls to refuel us. We need to cast our burdens on him, to sit in his warm embrace so we can be strengthened by him.
Let me say it again, we find rest in His presence.
And we need to do this regularly, so we don’t end up with empty cups.
How Do We Take a Day of Rest (when I can’t even find a minute for myself)!
Okay so we know God wants us to rest, that He built it into our week. But let’s be honest, if you have kids under the age of 18, you can’t take a day of rest.
You will have poopy diapers, snacks, playtime, activities and meltdowns. Kids don’t take a day of rest and so that means you don’t get one either.
But you can still set aside time to focus on recharging, with God.
This will look different for everyone depending on your stage.
For me, I have a shift-working husband and two young kids, so week to week is never the same. But I still try to plan time for rest with God.
Sometimes it’s waking up 10 minutes earlier. Sometimes it’s 15 minutes while my youngest naps. Sometimes it’s when my husband is working late and the boys have gone to bed.
Unfortunately, carving out personal time with God doesn’t happen every day. There are unexpected interruptions and needs. Expect the unexpected as they say.
So that means sometimes I build in time with God while being with my family.
Invite God Into The Chaos
Sometimes we pull out the couch cushions and act out “Daniel & the Lion’s Den” or “Noah’s Ark.” Sometimes I put on worship music and we read stories together. Sometimes I listen to the Dwell app while my boys are playing. It’s small moments that I intentionally carve out to feel close to God.
The key word is intentional. I don’t mindlessly scroll Facebook or watch TV. I know I need some time with God but also can’t leave my boys alone to their own devices, so God joins us in our playtime.
It’s being plugged into the power source at all times! Unconventionally finding rest that fills my house with peace.
Fighting burnout means being intentional in how you rest. Finding rest in God is the best way to recharge.
This may look different for different people, depending on your family dynamics.
Maybe you have one specific day with reduced tasks. Maybe it’s soup for supper, no laundry and no extra cleaning.
Maybe it’s asking your spouse or a family member to supervise while you take some alone time. That’s okay too! God doesn’t ask us to burnout. He wants motherhood to be joyous and sometimes that means taking a real timeout and letting someone else care for your kids.
Give Yourself Grace So You Don’t Burnout
Taking a break means being intentional about it. And it means giving yourself grace. It’s allowing yourself the grace to lie down and sleep if you need it. It’s allowing yourself the grace to read your bible instead of folding laundry. It’s allowing yourself the grace to spend time in God’s presence to find rest.
Don’t feel guilty about needing time to refuel. Don’t feel guilty about taking time to be with God. When we let Him pour his love into us, it overflows into our family’s cups too.
A good mom is a rested mom. Even if rest comes in unconventional ways. Plug into God and let Him refill your cup. Don’t let burnout fill your memory of motherhood. Instead, remember God’s hand of strength.
Find rest in his presence. Cast your burdens on him because he really does care for you (1 Peter 5:7)!
And remember, with God, all things are possible, so you got this Mama!
One final note. If you need some scripture reminders, print off these cards. Keep them in your pockets, your vehicle, at work or your kitchen window. Keep God’s word close in your busy days!
Let’s be social. Here’s where to find me!
When do I get a break? Overcoming burnout in motherhood
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