Things I Stopped Doing As A Mom (That Saved My Sanity)

Alessandra | Posted on May 22, 2025 |

As a mom of 3 there I some things I have had to give up on for my own sanity. In this blog I’m sharing 8 things I stopped doing as a mom that have helped my mental health.

There’s a lot of pressure to be “everything” when you’re a mom. You know, be present, productive, perfectly patient, and Pinterest-worthy. But after years of chasing an unrealistic standard, I realized something: I was burning out. Fast. And it wasn’t fair to me, my kids, or my husband. So I made a choice, difficult or not. And I started letting go. Here are a few major things I stopped doing as a mom that truly saved my sanity! And maybe even helped me become a better mom. Keep reading and maybe they’ll help you breathe a little easier, too.

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Things I Stopped Doing As A Mom

Here are 8 big things I stopped doing as a mom that I truly believe helped me be a better mom. I was less burnt out and overwhelmed and was able to be a happier mom and show up the way I wanted to! Let me know which ones you’re going to let go of in order to feel better.

1. I stopped trying to keep the house spotless 24/7

I used to clean constantly…like, constantly. I think it was a way of feeling in control, especially during the long days of having 2 under 2. But I realized I was cleaning up just to clean again 20 minutes later and it wasn’t helping anyone. Plus having a squeaky clean house with kids is unrealistic! Now I aim for quick tidying twice a day. Midday and the end of the day are the time to clean up toys, wash the dishes, and wipe down the counters, etc. I save the deep cleaning for once a week (or honestly… once in a while). Creating a simple cleaning schedule and breaking down chores to just a couple a day was a game changer for me as well!

2. I stopped feeling guilty for taking breaks

No more powering through exhaustion. I take breaks when I need them, without guilt, because taking a short break when you’re a stay at home mom is OK! Whether you want to scroll for a few minutes, read a chapter of your book, or watch a show during naptime, do it. Rest makes me a better mom. And it will help you be a better mom too. You can take breaks right at home, you can take breaks when your kids are awake. Just sit down, close your eyes, and don’t think for a few minutes.

woman eating cookies looking at her cell phone

3. I stopped comparing myself to other moms online

It’s cliche, but comparison is the thief of joy and social media has made this way worse! Always, always remember that social media shows the highlights, not the hard days. No matter how much a mom swears they share the real and raw moments of motherhood, no one is truly showing the darkest parts. ANd that’s ok but make sure you’re not comparing to the mom who seems to have it all together because chances are she doesn’t. At least not all the time. My best tip is to unfollow accounts that make you feel less-than and start following moms who align more with you and help you feel better in your path in motherhood.

4. I stopped saying “yes” to everything

In order to keep your peace as a mom, you must learn to say “no.” From playdates to volunteering, I used to say yes because I felt like I should. It seemed like the right thing to do and I didn’t want to let anyone down. But saying yes to everything will probably make you feel burnt out. Now I check in with myself first: “Do I really want to do this? Is this healthy for me or my family?” If not, it’s a no and that’s ok!

5. I stopped micromanaging everything

I’m so guilty of this, especially when my kids were toddlers. But it turns out, my kids and my husband are capable of more than I gave them credit for. Whoops! Once you take a step back, start delegating, and letting go of the need for things to be done my way I felt a whole lot better! It takes a little time to feel ok about things not being done to your own “standards” but once you don’t have to do everything all the time, you’ll feel calmer and happier.

6. I stopped hiding my emotions

How are our kids supposed to learn about all emotions if we, as moms, hide them? Social medias has us all thinking that we need to stay calm and regulated all the time to be a “good mom.” And I’m so tired of it, honestly, because it’s not realistic. Just because we’re moms doesn’t mean we can’t feel emotions, we don’t need to feel overwhelmingly guilty for snapping at our kids sometimes. Now, I’m honest with my kids in age-appropriate ways. I model how to handle hard feelings instead of pretending I don’t have them. And if an apology is needed, I say “I’m sorry” and move on. This will teach your kids WAY more than always feeling calm will. Also check out Free As A Mother on Instagram for more on this topic.

7. I stopped multitasking every second of the day

Moms and women are often given a pat on the back for multitasking. We wear it as a badge of honor as something we’re good at, but what for? It’s not that great a talent and it usually leads to things not being done right or fully. And while I still juggle a lot, I do my best to not always be doing three things at once anymore, because it’s exhausting. Sometimes I just sit and enjoy my coffee. Or I watch my kids play without folding laundry at the same time. Presence over productivity is a great thing to adopt!

8. I stopped expecting myself to love every minute

Moms have been guilted forever into thinking we need to enjoy every single moment of motherhood because our kids are only little for so long. And I get the sentiment, really I do but, the truth? Some parts of motherhood are boring, frustrating, or overwhelming! I’m sorry, but I don’t enjoy a tantruming toddler in the middle of Walmart. Or cleaning up pee from the floor for the hundredth time. And that doesn’t mean I don’t love my kids or I don’t enjoy being a mom. It means I’m a freakin’ human! So don’t feel guilty because you don’t revel in every second of motherhood, it’s totally normal not to!

Final Thoughts

Motherhood isn’t about doing it all (even though we can.) It’s about finding what actually works for you and your family. And these 8 things I stopped doing as a mom is only touching the surface of this topic. But, when I began to give myself permission to stop doing these things, I felt better and more in tune with myself and my children. We didn’t become moms to feel overwhelmed and guilty all the time, right?! That’s unfair to us and our families. So if you’re feeling burnt out lately, maybe it’s time to start letting go of some things too. Let me know what you’re going to stop doing in the comment section below!

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