Once upon a time, squeezing in time for grocery shopping was a challenge. Juggling three kids meant I typically planned a big shopping trip before the weekend. Yet, something inevitably popped up, forcing me to make additional trips during the week—whether it was a last-minute request for a school project, a forgotten item for my lactose-intolerant child, or my teenage son suddenly developing a passion for sandwiches. You get the picture; adding just one more item to my already busy life felt like a precarious game of Jenga.
Now, with everything shut down and my children’s schedules completely disrupted, you might think I’d have more breathing room. Instead, I find myself more drained than ever—and I’m sure many of you can relate.
You probably still wake up at the same early hour as before, but now you’re faced with uncertainty. How can I balance work and keep my kids engaged? How do I maintain my patience while assisting my 3rd grader with schoolwork? What ingredients can I scrounge together to avoid the grocery store, where health risks abound? This daily grind is a new kind of burnout, one that many mothers are now grappling with.
Previously, the daily to-do list was stressful enough. I constantly worried about forgetting tasks and staying organized. Now, we’re all trying to adapt to a surreal situation that we didn’t choose.
The reality is daunting: there’s no clear end in sight. We must be cautious about every action we take. Designating a spot for grocery bags to minimize germ spread has become essential. During family walks, we must keep our children close to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Running out for a quick errand for aspirin or a sweet craving is no longer an option. Even the simple act of entering a grocery store now fills us with anxiety.
For those of us still employed, the long-term impacts of this pandemic weigh heavily. The uncertainty of job security looms as unemployment lines grow longer. We’re also comforting our children, who are restless and possibly lonely, while striving to ensure their transition into this “new normal” is as smooth as possible. I worry about my three teenagers’ mental well-being; they haven’t interacted with anyone besides us for weeks and have stopped reaching out to friends. Are they too isolated? What should I be watching for?
As mothers, we strive to stay informed, yet the news can be a drain on our mental health. This often leads to feelings of guilt for not being the mom who has everything perfectly organized and entertaining for the family. It’s clear that COVID-19 is here for the long haul, forcing us to navigate the complexities of being mothers, educators, employees, and disinfectant experts—all while maintaining our sanity within the confines of our homes.
Burnout was already an issue before this pandemic, but now it’s on an entirely different level. Just because our schedules have fewer external commitments doesn’t lessen our responsibilities at home. In fact, it complicates things even more. Our coping strategies—like yoga classes, outings with friends, or quiet coffee breaks—have vanished.
If you’re feeling completely overwhelmed, reconsider the notion that you shouldn’t feel this way just because your external obligations have diminished. You carry a tremendous mental and emotional burden right now. Every decision you make is about keeping your family safe, maintaining a sense of normalcy, and worrying about finances—all while adjusting to the fears that accompany living through a pandemic. This takes a toll on our mental faculties.
You may find yourself feeling irritable or overwhelmed and yearning for space from your children. So, how can you mitigate some of this burnout? According to a BBC article, it’s crucial to discover what works for you right now. If productivity fuels you, pursue it. But if scrolling through social media makes you feel inadequate because everyone seems to be accomplishing big things, it’s okay to step back and engage in activities that uplift you. Prioritize your mental health above all.
Elizabeth Carter, a bioethics professor at Columbia University, said it best: “By staying in our houses, that itself is doing something positive.” Sometimes, doing nothing is the most significant contribution we can make.
For additional insights on navigating these challenges, you can check out this post or seek expert advice from this authority on the topic. If you’re interested in home insemination and related treatments, this resource is an excellent starting point.
Summary
The pandemic has exacerbated the challenges of motherhood, leading to heightened burnout. With daily responsibilities compounded by uncertainty and isolation, moms must prioritize their mental health and seek coping strategies that work for them. Understanding that simply staying home during this crisis is a valid and important action can help ease the burden.