What to Do When You Feel Overwhelmed as a Working Mom

24 March 2025

Being a working mom is like juggling ten balls at once—except some of them are on fire, and one is rolling under the couch. Between deadlines, school runs, meal preps, and laundry piles that seem to have a life of their own, feeling overwhelmed is practically a guarantee.

If you're drowning in responsibilities and barely keeping your head above water, take a deep breath. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to live in a constant state of stress. Here’s what you can do when overwhelm starts creeping in.

1. Acknowledge That You're Overwhelmed

The first step to dealing with overwhelm is admitting that you’re, well… overwhelmed. Society glorifies the supermom persona—always smiling, effortlessly managing everything. But let’s be real: no one has it all together all the time.

It's okay to say, “This is too much.” In fact, recognizing overwhelm is the first step toward regaining control.

2. Prioritize Ruthlessly

When everything feels urgent, nothing truly is. Take a moment to pause and figure out what actually needs to be done right now, what can be delegated, and what can wait.

Try using the Eisenhower Matrix:

- Urgent & Important: Do these now (e.g., a work deadline, a sick child).
- Important but Not Urgent: Schedule these (e.g., self-care, professional growth).
- Urgent but Not Important: Delegate these (e.g., answering non-essential emails).
- Neither Urgent Nor Important: Let these go (e.g., scrolling social media).

Not everything needs your immediate attention. Let go of the pressure to do it all.

3. Delegate Like a Boss

Moms often carry the bulk of household responsibilities, even when they have full-time jobs. But here’s the reality—you don’t have to do everything yourself.

- At Home: Ask your partner to take on more tasks. Give age-appropriate chores to your kids. Hire help if possible.
- At Work: If your plate is overflowing, talk to your manager about redistributing workloads.
- For Daily Tasks: Use grocery delivery services, meal kits, or automatic bill payments to lighten your mental load.

Delegating is not a failure. It’s smart management.

4. Set Boundaries (And Stick to Them!)

Boundaries are lifesavers. Without them, work seeps into home life, and parenting stress bleeds into work hours.

- At Work: When your workday ends, turn off notifications. Set clear boundaries with your boss and coworkers.
- At Home: If you’re working from home, create physical and time-related boundaries (like a dedicated workspace and work hours).
- With Your Kids: It’s okay to say, “Mommy needs 10 minutes” and have them entertain themselves.

No one benefits when you’re running on fumes. Protect your time and energy.

5. Let Go of Perfectionism

Spoiler alert: The perfect mom doesn’t exist. Your house won’t always be spotless. Dinner won’t always be homemade from scratch. And guess what? Your kids will be just fine.

Instead of aiming for perfection, strive for good enough. A clean-enough home, nutritious-enough meals, and a well-loved family are all that truly matter. Give yourself permission to be imperfect.

6. Take a Break—Without Guilt

When was the last time you did something just for yourself? If you can’t remember, it’s been too long.

- Go for a walk alone
- Read a book or watch a show you love
- Have coffee with a friend
- Take a nap

Self-care isn't selfish. It’s essential. A burnt-out mom can’t pour from an empty cup.

7. Practice Saying "No"

Every time you say yes to something you don’t have time for, you’re saying no to something that actually matters.

- No, I can’t bake 50 cupcakes for the school fundraiser
- No, I can’t take on an extra project at work
- No, I can’t attend every social event

Saying "no" is a superpower that protects your peace. Use it freely.

8. Talk to Someone Who Gets It

Vent, cry, laugh—whatever you need to do. Talking to someone who understands (a fellow mom, a friend, a therapist) can be incredibly cathartic.

You don’t have to carry the weight of the world alone. Sometimes, just knowing someone else sees you can make all the difference.

9. Adjust Your Expectations

If you’re expecting to handle everything flawlessly 24/7, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment. Life with kids is messy, unpredictable, and at times, chaotic.

Give yourself grace. Some days, success is just keeping everyone alive and fed—and that’s more than enough.

10. Shift Your Mindset

Sometimes overwhelm isn’t about having too much to do, but about how we frame what we have to do. Instead of thinking:

🔴 “I have to cook dinner.”
✅ “I get to cook a meal that nourishes my family.”

🔴 “I have to go to work.”
✅ “I have a job that provides for my family.”

A small shift in perspective can transform frustration into gratitude.

11. Simplify Wherever You Can

Find ways to make life easier.

- Meal Plan: Plan simple, quick meals to reduce stress around dinnertime.
- Batch Tasks: Do similar tasks together (like writing all emails at once).
- Automate What You Can: Set up auto-pay for bills, use reminders for important dates.

Efficiency is your best friend when juggling a full plate.

12. Get Enough Rest (Yes, Really!)

Running on fumes doesn’t make you more productive—it makes you exhausted and cranky. Sleep isn’t a luxury; it’s a necessity.

Prioritize rest by:

- Setting a consistent bedtime
- Limiting screen time before bed
- Creating a calm nighttime routine

A well-rested mom is a better mom. Period.

13. Ask for Help—And Accept It

Repeat after me: Asking for help doesn’t make you weak.

If you're struggling, reach out to your partner, family, friends, or even a professional. Let go of the belief that you have to do it all alone.

Help is there—you just have to be willing to take it.

Final Thoughts

Being a working mom is no small feat. Some days feel impossible, and the weight of responsibilities can feel crushing. But remember, you’re not failing—you’re just human.

Take it one step at a time. Prioritize what matters. Ask for help when you need it. And most importantly, be kind to yourself.

You’re doing better than you think.