I always thought my knack for multitasking would prepare me for the juggling act of motherhood and career. But nothing could have braced me for the sheer mental load of managing two full-time roles—mom and executive. Between racing to make morning meetings and afternoon daycare pickups, the guilt I packed with me on business trips, and the brain fog I couldn’t shake, I wasn’t just tired. I felt like I was drowning in plain sight.
If any of this feels achingly familiar, let me tell you what a fellow mom once told me: You’re not alone, and you’re doing better than you think. Social media may showcase the glossy highlights, but off camera, we’re all waging similar battles. So, when the weight of working mom burnout feels like it’s pulling you under, grab ahold of these 7 truths (and burnout busters) to help you find your footing again.
1. You are enough.
You are enough on your tired days. You are enough on your frustrated days. You are enough when you pick up your child last from daycare and when you check emails from the bleachers. You are enough when you bring home the bacon… and when you burn it.
Are you perfect? Far from it. And who cares? Being enough for your family has nothing to do with being perfect or polished. It’s about doing your best in the moment. And that’s more than enough.
Burnout Buster: Before going to bed, think about one thing you did that positively impacted your family, no matter how small. Trading butterfly kisses with your toddler? The homework help? The “good-luck-on-your-chemistry” text? Yep. Those all count.
2. It’s OK to ask for help.
Needing support doesn’t make you weak. It makes you wise. At work, the best leaders know how to delegate. So, go ahead and distribute your load at home, too. You aren’t designed to do this all by yourself. Ask your husband to handle the bedtime routine twice a week so you can squeeze in a workout. (And let him do it his way!) Swap up driving duties with another baseball mom. And, Mom, even young children can do household chores.
Burnout Buster: Keep a “help needed” list on your phone. When your husband or a friend notices you struggling with working mom burnout and offers to help, you’ll have specific requests ready.
3. The work you do matters.
You’re not just hitting deadlines. You’re showing your kids what dependability looks like. That promotion you earned? It teaches your kids to know (and advocate for) their worth. Those late nights spent finishing projects? They’re learning perseverance. Your children watch and learn from you how to navigate challenges, celebrate wins, and bounce back from setbacks.
But, your professional identity isn’t just teaching them about work ethic. It’s showing them that passion for your job and love for your family can coexist. When you light up talking about your latest project or proudly share a client’s feedback, you’re modeling what it looks like to find joy in your pursuits while being present for theirs.
Burnout Buster: Create a “Wins Wall” where everyone posts their proudest moments, from landing a new client to passing that math test. Make celebration a family habit.
4. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s strategic.
Rest is not a reward that you get to do after you finish everything else. It’s a necessity, especially as a defense against working mom burnout. Your body and mind (and soul) need rest. And, by the way, Mom, rest and sleep aren’t the same. Sleep is biological. Eventually, your body falls asleep whether you want it to or not. But rest is spiritual and mental. Give yourself permission to slow down and recharge. Read a book for pleasure. Go for that hike. Meet a friend for coffee.
Burnout Buster: Every Sunday, schedule two non-negotiable self-care “appointments” in your calendar for the week. Start with these simple ideas! And treat them equally as important as client meetings or parent-teacher conferences.
5. You aren’t harming your kids by working.
Mom guilt often whispers lies that we’re somehow hurting our kids by working outside the home. But the research tells us a different story. Studies show that children of working mothers often develop stronger social skills and more equitable views of gender roles in work and family life. Kids of working moms often learn that both men and women can contribute at home and in their careers. These lessons shape them into confident, compassionate individuals who respect the value of hard work and shared responsibilities.
Burnout Buster: Share stories about your work with your kids. Let them know why you enjoy it or how it helps the family.
6. You aren’t alone.
You have a community of potential support behind you, beside you, and even ahead of you on the career ladder (and in motherhood)! That mom at soccer practice checking emails? She gets it. Your coworker leaving mid-meeting to pick up a sick toddler from daycare? She’s your ally. That mom you scroll past on social media? She might only post the highlights, but she’s also living the lowlights of being a working mom. Trust us.
Burnout Buster: Connect with a working mom. Invite her to coffee or set up a playdate. Share your biggest challenge and ask about hers. You might find solutions you never considered or the understanding you needed.
7. You are loved for who you are, not what you do.
Your value isn’t determined by your marked-off to-dos or your productivity stats. Seriously. Watch your kids’ faces light up when you walk through the door. They see YOU. Not Super Mom. Not Career Woman. Just you. Their mom. And that’s everything.
Burnout Buster: The next time imposter syndrome hits, write down three things your kids said or did today that showed they love you.
What helps you when you feel like you’re battling working mom burnout?
