Mom Burnout is Real - Read This Before You Hit Your Breaking Point.
Dear Burnt-Out "Good Mom," You’re Not Broken - You’re Human
You’re the mom who shows up - who always shows up. The one with the lunchboxes packed, the school forms signed, the bedtime stories read, and the kitchen (at least for five minutes) sparkling clean.
You’re the mom who gets it all done - or at the very least, is consumed by trying to get it all done, even when it feels like you haven’t accomplished anything. You are the epitome of the “good mom.” Yet, despite your best efforts, you can’t shake the feeling that you’re falling short.
It feels like the world is watching, waiting for you to crack. And somehow, still - you get up every day and do the thing.
I see you. And in case you need to hear it, let me remind you: You’re not broken. You’re human.
I was hit with a deep sense of overwhelm - the kind that used to send me straight into losing my sh*t.
There’s always a fleeting moment - sometimes just a heartbeat - between overwhelm and rage. With practice, tuning into your body can help you catch it before it spirals out of control.
One morning, in the heat of the routine, I’m sure someone told me they hated me. I could feel it - the rush of emotion. The thoughts flooded in: Why is every morning like this? Why can’t you get your sh*t together?
Right there, in the middle of the getting-boots-on chaos, I named the overwhelm out loud, took a breath, and told the kids I needed a minute. (They wouldn’t actually give me a minute, but saying it out loud helps them understand my reactions.) I went to sit on the floor and tried to find the bilateral music that had helped me earlier in the week.
I couldn’t find it.
Helplessness crept in. My brain started spiraling, scrambling for control over what felt uncontrollable. Then, my youngest son quietly sat next to me, placed his hand on my leg, and said, “Mommy, we’re here.” He paused, then repeated, “We’re here.”
A moment later, my oldest approached, sat behind me, and gently placed his hand on my back.
I finally found the sound I needed, and within about 10 seconds, the words I needed to speak returned.
And just like that, we were able to move on with our morning.
Some days, it’s not about finding the perfect tool or script - it’s about catching yourself before you unravel and accepting the support around you.
That’s what we work on in our expressive art therapy sessions - learning how to pause, even when the chaos is closing in.
What Does Mom Burnout Feel Like?
Mom burnout isn’t just exhaustion - it’s a deep, soul-level depletion that makes even the simplest tasks feel impossible. It’s the moment when your patience is paper-thin, and the sound of your name being called one more time feels like it might break you.
It looks like snapping over something small, zoning out during bedtime stories, or feeling an overwhelming sense of guilt for not being more present. It’s when you start to wonder, Am I even cut out for this? and immediately feel terrible for thinking it.
If this sounds familiar, know this: It’s not because you’re failing - it’s because you’re carrying too much.
What Causes Mom Burnout?
Mom burnout happens when the expectations placed on you - by society, family, or even yourself - outweigh the support and rest you receive. Some of the biggest contributors include:
Unrealistic Expectations: The idea that you should be able to do it all, perfectly, with a smile.
Mental Load Overload: Keeping track of everything - appointments, meal planning, emotional needs, and invisible tasks that no one else sees.
Lack of Support: Feeling like it all falls on you, whether it’s household tasks, emotional labor, or decision-making.
Self-Abandonment: Prioritizing everyone else’s needs so much that you forget to meet your own.
Social Media Comparison: Seeing highlight reels that make you feel like you’re the only one struggling.
The good news? Burnout isn’t permanent. When you start acknowledging your needs and making space for yourself, things can change.
What If You Let Go of the Guilt?
I know this might sound radical, but what if… just what if… you could stop worrying about whether you’re doing it right and just start doing what feels right?
Did you glitch at that thought? Yeah, most women do.
What if you could embrace the idea that being a “good enough mom” isn’t about doing everything perfectly - it’s about showing up, loving hard, and letting go of the guilt around not getting it all done?
The Myth of the "Good Mom"
You’ve been chasing a myth - an image of motherhood that doesn’t leave room for anything else.
Every time you scroll through Instagram, you’re reminded of what you should be doing, and suddenly, what you ARE doing never feels like enough.
Here’s what no one tells you about being a HUMAN-MOM (not a “good,” “gentle,” or “perfect” mom):
You don’t have to have it all together (my kids ate beige food last night, and I had to apologize for losing my cool).
You don’t need to be the version of yourself that Instagram, your mom, your best friend, or your high school teacher told you to be in order to be “good.”
All your baggage from childhood/adolescence has a way of showing up in motherhood. You're parenting in multiple timelines: the timeline when you were a kid, the you now, and the future version of you who looks back on the decisions you made.
It’s okay to just be you. It’s okay to rest. And it’s okay to stop playing the “good mom” game.
In case you’re new here… I’m Kayla, a Registered Social Worker and Expressive Arts Therapist, and I work with moms just like you—busy, overwhelmed, but craving a way back to themselves.
In my Motherload Membership (opening again in February 2025), I’m building a space for you to rediscover your identity beyond just being a mom.
I’ve got the ADHD, and I’m re-re-discovering how to not be a people-pleaser again at this stage of life. I’m all about giving you the tools to tap into creativity as a survival tool, and guess what? It’s about reclaiming YOU.
Journal Prompts For Moms Who Feel Burned Out
Grab a notebook, a scrap piece of paper, or the back of an overdue bill (because let’s be real), and reflect on these:
I hold myself to expectations that no one else actually expects from me, such as...
My idea of the “good mom” came from...
If I wasn’t so burned out, I would like...
A small thing I can let go of today to make my life easier is...
Guilt shows up in my parenting by... and it’s trying to tell me...
The last time I gave myself permission to rest without feeling bad was...
One way I can combat my burnout is…
I want my kids to remember me as... not just as their mom, but as a person.
If I trusted my instincts more then scrolling, I would...
To me, “being enough” actually means... and I can embody that today by...
Ready to Ditch the “Good Mom” Game for Good?
If this made you pause, nod, or maybe even tear up a little, I want you to know - you don’t have to navigate this alone. The Motherload is where we unpack these impossible expectations and redefine what it means to mother on your own terms.
Join The Motherload, where we drop the guilt, embrace creativity, and create a version of motherhood that actually works for us.
Because you, my friend, are already enough.
What’s inside The Motherload Membership?
Weekly Open Studio Hours: A live, virtual space for us to relax, create, and connect. It’s our time to unwind and be present with others who get it.
Quarterly Live Courses: Workshops where we work through the emotional, mental, and creative layers of motherhood—together.
Community Chat Spaces: A judgment-free zone to vent, share, and celebrate with other moms who understand what it feels like to be in the thick of it all.
Pre-Recorded Resources: A library of courses to explore whenever we need them, at our own pace.
1:1 Welcome Session: A private chat with me to help us set meaningful goals within the membership and ensure we're getting the most out of this space.
And to kick off February, we’re starting our first 📣 LIVE: Flip the Script
A Creative Guide to Shifting Our Inner Dialogue (For Moms Who Are Over the “Just Think Positive” Stuff)
Follow Kayla on her Instagram account @kayla.huszar for mom life reality and tips!
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This information is for educational purposes only. Kayla cannot provide personalized advice or recommendations for your unique situation or circumstances. Therefore, nothing on this page or website should replace therapeutic recommendations or personalized advice. If you require such services, please consult with a medical or therapeutic provider to determine what's best for you. Kayla cannot be held responsible for your use of this website or its contents. Please never disregard or delay seeking medical or therapeutic treatment because of something you read or accessed through this website.
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