Mom Stress 101: What It Is and How to Finally Find Relief

Alessandra | Posted on September 22, 2025 |

Mom stress is real and if you’ve been super overwhelmed lately, you’re not alone! In this blog, I’m sharing 8 simple tips to help you find relief from the stresses of being a mom.

Being a mom is one of the most rewarding roles in the world! But it’s also one of the most stressful. Between managing household responsibilities, caring for kids, juggling schedules, and trying to find a moment to breathe, many moms carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. This constant pressure can lead to what I like to call: mom stress. You know, it’s that overwhelming feeling of being stretched too thin, yet still expected to do it all, and feeling under appreciated too. But don’t worry, there’s good news! First off, you’re not alone, and there are ways to lighten the load. Keep reading to learn how!

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What Is Mom Stress?

Before we dive into some simple tips to deal with mom stress, let’s discuss what it actually means. Mom stress summed up, is the mental, emotional, and physical strain mothers experience from the demands of motherhood. It’s a lot, all the time and we often feel like we’re supposed to carry all of it alone. It often looks like:

Feeling like there’s never enough time in the day
Constantly multitasking between kids, chores, and personal needs
Struggling with mom guilt when you can’t do it all perfectly
Worrying about your child’s health, development, and happiness
Putting your own needs last

I think it’s also important to recognize that mom stress isn’t just “normal parenting worry.” It’s a real challenge that can impact your health, mood, and relationships if not managed. So, let’s dive in to some ways you can deal with the stress so you can show up as the mom you want to be.

Why Moms Stress So Much

Why do moms stress so much? And why does it seem like all the stress lands on mom and not dad? The reasons behind all the stress are layered and complex, but here are a few big contributors, in my opinion:

1. Unrealistic Expectations

Moms often feel pressure to be “supermom.” They think they should be doing everything perfectly while staying calm and collected at all times. And side note: this is impossible.

2. Lack of Support

Unfortunately, many moms don’t have a strong support system. Which leaves them to handle most of the childcare and household responsibilities alone.

3. Endless To-Do Lists

We live in a time where to-do lists are never-ending and we tend to overschedule ourselves. Plus, add to that, cooking, cleaning, laundry, errands, and homework help, the tasks never stop. It can feel impossible to keep up.

4. Comparison Culture

Social media makes it way too easy to compare your motherhood journey to others. This only fuels unneeded stress and self-doubt!

5. Lack of Personal Time

Because of all the things I listed above, moms lack personal time. They often sacrifice self-care and personal interests, leaving them drained and unfulfilled.

Tips to Help Combat Mom Stress

If you’re feeling the weight of mom stress, you’re definitely not alone! We have all been there or we still are, which is why you’re reading this blog. So, here are my best and most practical ways to find relief from it all. Keep reading and let me know in the comment section below which tips are your favorite.

1. Prioritize Self-Care

I know it seems hard, but I know you can find time to take care of you. First off remember that taking care of yourself isn’t selfish! It’s truly essential for your to feel less stressed and more like yourself. Plus, self care doesn’t have to be extravagant. Start small by drinking more water, taking a shower in peace, going for a short walk, or reading a few pages of a book. I wrote a whole blog about making time for self care, you can check it out if you need more tips.

2. Set Realistic Expectations

Let go of perfection, mama! No one is perfect and that’s ok. What are we even teaching our kids if we try to be, right? It’s okay if the laundry isn’t folded or dinner is simply chicken nuggets. It’s ok if you stayed home all day or can only manage to get out of the house by playing in your backyard. Your kids need a happy mom more than a spotless house and constant fun events. Unrealistic expectations of motherhood will stress you out everyday, so set realistic goals for yourself!

3. Ask for Help

Yes, it’s ok to ask for help! Whether it’s from your husband/partner, family, or friends, don’t be afraid to ask for support. Parenting was never meant to be done alone. So ask for help making dinner or cleaning up, or ask a friend if they can watch your kids for a little while so you can be alone for a little bit. Everything will be ok!

4. Create a Daily Routine

Daily routines can be life changing! They provide structure for both you and your kids which reduces chaos, decision fatigue, tantrums, and more. Learn more about why routines and schedules are so crucial to a child’s development and your own sanity at this blog. And below, make sure you grab my morning routine checklist to help you start your day on the right foot.

5. Limit Social Media

Social media gets really overwhelming and, as I said earlier, it also causes comparison, which leads to unnecessary stress. Try to take breaks from scrolling to avoid unnecessary comparison and overstimulation. Your on your own path in motherhood, and no one else’s journey matters.

6. Practice Mindfulness

Being mindful is a simple way to stay focused and intentional, which can lessen mom stress. Try deep breathing, journaling, or simply pausing for a few minutes each day to help calm your nervous system. Get more mom mindfulness tips at this blog.

7. Connect with Other Moms

Connection is SO important and we really lack it right now. But we were never meant to be alone in motherhood, parenthood, and life in general. Talking with someone who truly understands what you’re going through can ease stress and remind you that you’re not alone. Look for a mom’s group or create one yourself to get that connection you crave.

8. Celebrate Small Wins

As moms, we’re often so hard on ourselves and at the end of the day, we’re really good at dwelling on all the things we messed up on. Sounds familiar right? But what if instead, you acknowledge what you are accomplishing each day?! Even if it’s something as simple as keeping everyone fed, that’s ok! I’m telling you, you did way more great things than bad things, so celebrate the good instead.

Final Thoughts

Mom stress is real, but it definitely doesn’t have to define your motherhood journey. And it shouldn’t. By setting realistic expectations, prioritizing yourself, and leaning on support when needed, you can create a more balanced, joyful rhythm in your daily life. Remember, being a good mom doesn’t mean doing everything perfectly. It simply means showing up with love, even when things aren’t picture-perfect. It’s about being present and intentional. Give yourself grace, mama because I know you’re doing better than you think.

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