Balancing work and motherhood is no small feat.
From meeting work deadlines to managing family routines, mothers often find themselves stretched between two demanding worlds.
It’s not just about the physical tasks—running errands, making meals, or attending meetings—it’s also about carrying the mental load.
Balancing work and motherhood means constantly thinking ahead, remembering the endless to-dos, and keeping everyone’s schedules in check.
It’s mentally exhausting, and for many moms, it feels like an ongoing balancing act.
In this blog, we’ll dive into what it really means to carry the mental load, how it impacts working mothers, and some helpful strategies for easing that strain while balancing work and motherhood.
What is the Mental Load?
The mental load refers to the invisible labor of keeping track of everything that needs to get done, anticipating future needs, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
In many households, mothers often take on this mental load, especially when balancing work and motherhood. It involves all the behind-the-scenes thinking—planning meals, keeping track of school events, remembering the birthday party invites, and ensuring the house doesn’t fall apart while meeting deadlines at work.
Balancing work and motherhood can feel like you’re managing two full-time jobs—your professional responsibilities during the day, and your household and family responsibilities before and after work.
The mental load can easily go unnoticed, but its effects are significant and often lead to exhaustion and burnout.
How Does the Mental Load Affect Mothers?
Balancing work and motherhood while carrying the mental load can take a toll, not just physically but emotionally.
Mothers often feel the pressure to be “supermom,” meeting everyone’s needs while maintaining their career. Here are some common ways the mental load can affect moms:
1. Burnout
Balancing work and motherhood without adequate support can quickly lead to burnout. It’s easy to feel like you’re running on empty, with no time to recharge.
Constantly juggling between work responsibilities and family needs can leave you feeling physically drained and emotionally spent.
2. Overwhelm
Balancing work and motherhood often leads to feelings of overwhelm.
The never-ending list of things to do—whether it’s remembering to buy groceries or preparing for an important work presentation—can weigh heavy. This sense of always having too much to do with too little time can make it feel like you’re barely keeping your head above water.
3. Mom Guilt
Guilt is a common theme for many mothers.
Balancing work and motherhood often brings about feelings of not doing enough, either at home or at work. Whether it’s missing a school event because of a work meeting or feeling distracted by home life during work hours, this guilt can chip away at your sense of satisfaction in either role.
4. Loss of Self-Care
When you’re busy balancing work and motherhood, self-care often falls to the bottom of the list.
Taking care of yourself—whether it’s through exercise, hobbies, or downtime—can feel impossible when every waking moment is filled with responsibilities. But neglecting your own needs over time can exacerbate the stress and exhaustion of carrying the mental load.
Tips for Balancing Work and Motherhood
Finding the balance between work and motherhood isn’t easy, but there are ways to manage the mental load more effectively. Here are some strategies that might help lighten the load and bring a bit more balance into your day-to-day life:
1. Delegate Tasks
You don’t have to do it all.
Whether it’s asking your partner to share household chores or assigning age-appropriate tasks to your kids, delegating is key to reducing the mental load.
Balancing work and motherhood becomes more manageable when responsibilities are shared, rather than trying to handle everything yourself.
2. Set Boundaries
Establishing clear boundaries between work and home life is essential.
When you’re at work, focus on work, and when you’re at home, focus on family. While this can be challenging, especially if you work remotely, setting boundaries helps create structure and prevents work from bleeding into family time, and vice versa. Balancing work and motherhood is easier when you have designated time for both.
3. Prioritize Self-Care
Self-care is often the first thing to go when you’re balancing work and motherhood, but it’s crucial for managing stress.
Find small ways to take care of yourself—whether it’s a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, a walk during lunch, or a few minutes of meditation before bed. Prioritizing your well-being helps prevent burnout and keeps your mental load more manageable.
4. Use Time Management Tools
Organizing your tasks with time management tools can be a lifesaver when balancing work and motherhood.
Digital calendars, to-do list apps, and meal planning tools can help reduce mental clutter by keeping everything in one place. When you’re not constantly trying to remember what needs to be done next, your mental load feels lighter.
5. Adjust Expectations
Sometimes balancing work and motherhood means accepting that not everything will go perfectly. It’s okay to let go of perfectionism and focus on what’s truly important. Give yourself permission to say “no” to non-essential tasks and cut yourself some slack. The goal is to manage the mental load, not to achieve superhuman status.
Managing Overwhelm and Burnout
No matter how well you balance work and motherhood, there will be times when it all feels like too much.
When the mental load becomes overwhelming, it’s essential to recognize it and take steps to reduce stress. Here’s how to cope when balancing work and motherhood starts to feel unmanageable:
1. Take Breaks
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s okay to take a break.
Step away from work or household tasks, even if it’s just for a few minutes. A short walk, deep breathing exercises, or a quick pause to clear your mind can help reset your energy.
2. Ask for Help
Balancing work and motherhood doesn’t mean you have to do it alone.
Reach out to your support system—whether it’s a partner, friend, or family member—and ask for help when you need it. Sometimes, simply talking about the mental load with someone who understands can make a big difference.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness techniques, such as meditation or deep breathing, can help manage the stress that comes with balancing work and motherhood.
Taking a few moments each day to center yourself and focus on the present can alleviate feelings of overwhelm and give you the clarity needed to tackle your tasks.
Final Words
Balancing work and motherhood is undoubtedly challenging.
The mental load that comes with juggling professional responsibilities and family life can be overwhelming, but there are ways to manage it.
Delegate tasks. Set boundaries. Prioritize self-care. Adjust your expectations.
You CAN lighten the load and find a balance that works for you.
Remember, it’s okay to ask for help, take breaks, and prioritize your well-being while balancing work and motherhood.
FAQs
How do you balance work and motherhood?
Balancing work and motherhood requires setting boundaries between your job and family time, delegating tasks, and finding ways to manage your mental load, like using time management tools and practicing self-care.
How to cope with motherhood and career?
Coping with motherhood and a career involves prioritizing tasks, asking for help when needed, and taking time for yourself to recharge. Setting realistic expectations and recognizing that it’s okay not to do everything perfectly can also ease the pressure.
What is overwhelmed mother syndrome?
Overwhelmed mother syndrome refers to the emotional exhaustion and stress that many mothers experience from juggling the demands of work, family, and personal life. This can lead to burnout and feelings of being unable to keep up.
What is depleted mother syndrome treatment?
Depleted mother syndrome treatment involves addressing both physical and emotional exhaustion. This may include seeking therapy, finding time for rest and relaxation, and creating a support network to help manage daily responsibilities.