TX Mothers: You can be a Great Mom without Drowning in Stress
You see the title of this article? I see the words; I wrote the words.
And I take them to heart. Usually.
Most of the time.
Not consistently.
Because raising kids is tough. But it's easy for us moms to make it tougher by setting unrealistic standards for what a good mom is, what a good mom does, how a good mom acts. And it doesn't take much before we let intrusive thoughts that usually start with WHAT IF...take over our thoughts.
If this sounds like you, you're in the right place. Read on to learn more about Mom Stress and what you can do about it.
First up, what's up with all the stress and self-esteem issues that you seem to have brought home from the hospital right along with the precious new human with the itty bitty hat? Part of the issue is that kids are always changing, which means that as soon as we figure out one thing, we may have to figure out something new.
Common Stressors of Moms with Infants and Babies
If you are a new mother, you may experience stress due to the many challenges of caring for a newborn, especially during the first year. When you are pregnant, you may have already felt anxious about the upcoming changes.
Still, once the baby arrives, the reality of sleepless nights, constant feedings, and new responsibilities can be overwhelming. You may struggle with relationship issues as you adjust to your new role. If you are a single mom, you may face an even more difficult time managing everything on your own.
Additionally, hormonal changes can contribute to the baby blues, a common emotional rollercoaster in the early weeks after birth. If you develop postpartum depression, it can be even harder to bond with your baby and manage daily life. Without proper support, these challenges can take a toll on your well-being, making the transition into parenthood incredibly stressful.
Common Stressors of Moms with Young Children
If you have young children, you may experience stress as you try to balance your child's needs with your own personal and professional responsibilities. Creating a safe space for your child while fostering a strong parent-child relationship requires patience, energy, and emotional resilience.
You may struggle to find family support that can help them navigate the demands of parenting, especially when juggling career goals and household responsibilities. Effective communication skills are also essential in managing their child’s behavior and relationships with partners, family members, or caregivers.
The pressure of these responsibilities can be overwhelming, and without proper support, stress may contribute to anxiety, depression, or other forms of mental illness. Finding balance and seeking help is crucial for a mother’s well-being as she raises her young child.
Common Stressors of Moms with Older Children & Teens
Mothers of older children often face a rollercoaster of an experience as they navigate the shifting dynamics of their child’s growing independence and changing needs. From school pressures to social influences, each stage presents unique challenges that require constant adaptation.
Stressful life events, such as academic struggles, peer conflicts, or major transitions like moving or family changes, can add to a mother’s worries. These challenges don’t just affect the child—they impact the whole family, requiring mothers to support everyone in different ways, whether through emotional guidance, discipline, or problem-solving.
As children develop their own identities and opinions, maintaining open communication and a strong bond becomes essential, adding another layer of responsibility that can be both rewarding and exhausting.
Mom Guilt Summed Up
The most important thing to remember is that it's normal to feel some parenting stress and anxiety. Mothering guilt is a universal feeling that many mothers experience, often questioning whether they are doing enough to be a good mother.
It can stem from complex relationships with your children, partners, or societal expectations, making it difficult to feel confident in your parenting choices. Whether balancing work and family, setting boundaries, or taking time for yourselves, mothers often feel torn between their responsibilities and needs. Additionally, stressful situations related to your child, such as learning how to help an anxious child or helping your young adult manage a bad relationship, can cause extra emotional pain that you have to learn to manage.
But there is hope. YAY!
What Helps?
So, yes, Mom guilt is natural, but you've got to remember something that's easy to forget.
Being a good mother doesn't mean being perfect—it means loving, supporting, and doing the best they can for their children.
There are other ways to combat the stress that comes with the parenting role. You can:
Gain a better understanding of your child's needs and behaviors, which can help you manage behavioral problems more effectively
Practice deep listening to connect with your children on a deeper level, ideally reducing conflict and increasing the daily joys of parenting
Recognize the signs of stress early; unchecked stress levels can impact both you and your child
Seek emotional and social support from family and friends, or find support groups to provide reassurance and practical advice
Consult medical doctors or a health care provider to address any physical or mental health concerns related to stress
Prioritize your health
Seek help when necessary to maintain a balanced and healthy life.
Emotional Support and Therapy
Learning to navigate parenting well includes a holistic approach to physical, emotional, and mental well-being. A strong support system makes a big difference, and one aspect of that support system may include working with a therapist who will be with you to help you manage Mom's Stress.
And, yep, you're in the right place because Joyluma Counseling loves Moms! Aspects of therapy are unique for each person, but we may work on tapping into your inner strength, identifying stress variables, aligning all the parts of your life, and identifying ways to make positive changes that you can see immediately. In your first session, we'll discuss your struggles and goals and identify the good things you hope to get out of therapy.
Take the first step and contact Joyluma Counseling at 737.530.3946 to schedule a 15-minute consultation to see if we're a good fit.