Stay at home mom burnout is so real, especially in 2020. This year is HARD. Nowhere to go, everything is closed. We’re home with the kids ALL the time. Often with no help. It’s lonely, overwhelming, frustrating, anxiety-inducing and even depressing.

For many, it’s a doubly awful year because of the fires and extreme weather. We’ve had smoke in my area, but luckily it was just a couple days of staying indoors because of bad air. I can’t even imagine what some of you are going through.

The thing is we are Moms. We can have all of these hard times, and difficult feelings, but our kids still needs us. Staying stuck in our heads, or in our emotions is not an option. It’s okay to stop, and feel, and process, but we have to keep going. We have to keep our heads up, and keep caring for our families.

I know this is way easier said than done, but you are a Mom, you made it this far, and I know you can do it.

This list of Mommy Mantras may or may not help you. But read through them, and hopefully you’ll find one that resonates. On these especially hard days, repeat it to yourself over and over – in your head or outloud. You may not believe it the first time you say it, but each time you do it, a little more confidence will seep in, and then a little more, and then a little more. And before you know it, maybe you’ll even find yourself smiling.

Mom Mantras for When Your Feeling Burned Out

1. They’re only little for a little while. (Ya’ll already know I use this line a lot. 😉)

2. This too shall pass. (Cliche, but true.)

3. A little dirt never hurt. (Yes, the mess drives me crazy sometimes. And kids can be gross. So gross. But reality a little dirt won’t hurt, it may even build our immune system.)

4. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. (Thanks Kelly Clarkson, this song has been stuck in my head too many times.)

5. “Life doesn’t have to be perfect to be wonderful.” -Annette Funicello (This is just a nice quote, and so true.)

6. Deep breath. Let it go. (This is my Frozen inspired mantra. Depending on the severity of the situation needing these deep breaths, many times this mantra will be decorated with other expletives if said in my head or under my breath.)

7. I am strong. I am powerful. If I can grow this tiny human and labor for (*insert your labor time here*) hours  AND birth this wild child into the world I can endure anything! (I know the I am strong, and I am powerful affirmations can feel a little cheesy, but pair them with the fact that YOU grew a tiny human(s) and it will really hit home and help you remember what a strong, powerful you truly are.)

8. “You alone are enough. You have nothing to prove to anybody.” -Maya Angelou (This is just a beautiful quote from Maya. As stay at home moms, we constantly feel like we have to prove ourselves- keep our homes perfect, fix amazing meals, and always be the ones to volunteer at school or church because we’re SAHM’s and we have all the time. Not! Honey, you have nothing to prove. You are enough.)

9. I am patient. I am a good example and good role model. (Repeating this to myself is a good reminder, especially when my fuse is short- a common feeling if you’re overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed.)

10. Why? Because I want a close connection to my children, and for them to have an amazing childhood. I know that I am the best person for this job of raising my children be amazing, kind, loving humans. (This is about repeating your why. Why did you decide to be a SAHM? Your answer will likely be different than mine, but having a solid answer during stressful times will keep you grounded. Even though it’s challenging job, it’s so very worth it).

11. Find the good. (I know right now you might be thinking, What good? I’m up to eyeballs in poopy diapers, dirty dishes, and every single walk way of my home is an obstacle course of toys. Sometimes it just feels like nothing is good, nothing is right. But start small, and even if it’s really small I bet you’ll find something good. Are you standing up? Awesome, your legs are good. Are you sitting down? That’s good, too- you have a place to sit. Toys everywhere? Great, your kids must have had such fun playing! Sink full of dirty dishes? Wonderful- your family is well fed! Poopy diapers? So awesome! Constipation is a pain in the a$$. The more you find the good in your life, the more the good will find you.) 

12. “Just keep swimming.” (Thank you, Dory!)

13. If you can’t beat, them join them. (Not sure if this is a mantra- or if anything on this list is for that matter. But this one can be really helpful when your kids are driving you crazy and bouncing off the walls. Instead of the usual routine of getting everyone to calm down, join them in their craziness. Turn up the music and have a dance party. Tell them the floor is lava, and everyone needs to jump onto the couch-safety-boat. Pretend to be a dinosaur roaring and chasing after them- this one is actually great if your trying to get a minute of peace and quiet. When I play this with my kids, they all go hide and I have a free minute to dig into my secret chocolate stash.)

14. I am loved. I am love. (Focusing on the love from my family, and the love I have for my family can be very uplifting.)

15. This is temporary. (I know it feels like 2020 has lasted about 20 years, but this is not permanent. The world is constantly changing. Things will get better.)

16. I will what I want. (This is written on one my workout t-shirts, and I absolutely love it. This is my most used mantra. Our thoughts are so powerful. If you think you can, you will, and if think you can’t you won’t.)

This has been a tough year to be a mom, a tough year to be a human. But I hope you leave my weird little space of the internet feeling a little more hope and a little more love and a little more ready to carry on and keeping mommin’.

I would love to hear from you- just a hello or a how you’re coping with 2020 or about your favorite mantra’s, whatever you feel moved to say. Be well, friends!