mommy burnout [open]

What I normally do when I feel like this, is to go for a long walk - it might be the last thing you feel like doing, but afterwards I feel so much better.

Either go with the kids or leave them at home with dad.

Also tell your dh how you are feeling right now, maybe he might be able to take the kids out of the house for a while, to the park or something, so you can just have a lie down, or read a book or something like that.

That's what I normally do anyway, I must admit it's been a while since I've felt like this, but then my eldest is at school now, so during the day when my youngest is napping it is easy to steal 1/2 hour for myself.

Also, something else I like to do, which isn't for everyone is paint my nails lol. I love painting my nails, makes me feel like a million dollars.

When my kids were small my husband encouraged me to get out one evening a week. We picked Thursday so that it could become a routine. So, I got to look forward to something once a week. It could be anything from a trip to the library to grocery shopping by myself to walking around the mall to...whatever. Just an hour or 2 and I felt refreshed.

Do you have the time and money to take some kind of class just for fun - knitting, cooking. Our community has some pretty interesting things for not much. Your public library might also have a book club you could join. I know all about mommy burn-out. Hang in there.

Before I give suggestions let me ask you- Are you an introvert or an extrovert? Are you primarily recharged after spending time with others or are you primarily recharged after spending time alone?

I get together with some girlfriends every other month for lunch and an afternoon. I also take an hour a week to run errands or do something by myself. It is kind of sad how refreshed I feel after grocery shopping alone. We've also sort of taken Sundays as my day off. When my husband is home he changes the diapers and does the disciplining or snack getting - All the things that wear on me through the week while he is at work. I feel so refreshed after having a day where I can be the fun parent.

I know how that feels.... I feel more "burnt" in the evening than during the day... in the evening I want to be done for the day but I'm not. What helps me is to go shopping ALONE.... just walk, talk to no one, look at things, and think.

Glad that you found something that helped.


I have to agree with the comments others have made about grocery shopping alone, lol. Sad isn't it.


I like it because it gives me time to read labels properly and compare prices without being in a hurry.

I LOVE my baths... stawberry bubble bath, candle and music... they REALLY relax me...

The last few months I have found the benefit of having such a bath to BEGIN my day... it sets the scene for the day (less stressful)

thats just what works for me

I have found that doing something without the kids helps a lot. I volunteer at a local crisis pregnancy center every other Monday night and also belong to a Women's Faith Sharing group. They have childcare there if you want/need to use it. It's nice to get some adult conversation so that I am not going crazy. Just remember that there is nothing wrong with wanting to do something without the kids - you are not being selfish (I know I felt that way at first) now I feel like I am a better mom when I get my time away.

Do you have grandparents that would be willing to watch the kids one evening per week. Perhaps they would be more comfortable with caring for the baby when your husband isn't. This would also provide you some time to go out along with your husband every now and then and you guys have reconnect on a date.

I worked part time and that gave me a well needed break from the kids, I worked two late nights and one weekend day, that way husband could look after the kids so we didn't lose money with a sitter. Also we had al little bit extra money from my work (always a bonus). For me a mothers group was great for a time but after a while I didn't want to go somewhere with more children and talk about mummy things, since I wanted some time for me, so I am studying now towards my university degree, no mummytalk at all, and I like that.