When You Feel Overwhelmed in Motherhood (Encouragement for Moms)

If motherhood feels overwhelming right now, you’re not alone.

Regardless of the season of motherhood you’re in, be it babies to high schoolers, to empty nesters, and everything in between, motherhood in every season brings on new challenges that can cause worry.

And sometimes we need to hear- “I can relate, mama” and “here’s some encouragement for you”. Mothering is such a blessing and a high calling from the Lord. And we need other moms to build each other up and notice the mom who is feeling overwhelmed.

Why Motherhood Feels So Overwhelming

When you become a mother, a new you is born too. Whether this is your first baby or your fifth child, each new blessing grows a new you.

And you quickly find out that motherhood requires a lot from you emotionally, physically, and mentally. The days can start to feel like a replay of the previous day, the dishes and laundry seem unending, and the last time you spoke with a friend might have been a while ago.

It’s no wonder motherhood can feel so overwhelming at times. While the sink is piling up, there can also be a lot piling up in your head. The mental load of motherhood has you questioning every decision you make and wondering if you’re cut out for this parenting thing. Spoiler alert: you are cut out for this calling of motherhood.

READ: How to Build a Christ-Centered Home with Simple Daily Rhythms

The Pressure to Do It All Well

If you scroll through any social media platform, you can find an abundance of motherhood advice, and you can even watch mothers- mothering—insert-comparison trap.

Social media can make you feel like you’re doing everything wrong or not enough as a mom. You can find yourself comparing your motherhood journey to the next mom who seems to have it all together- the perfect home aesthetic, stylish clothes, well-behaved children, and even a booming social life.

Unfortunately, this entrance into someone’s mothering only gives us the highlight reel of their life, and we end up setting unrealistic expectations for our home and motherhood walk. We don’t get to see the messy living room, the late nights comforting sick kids, the heaping amount of consumer debt, or the marriage hanging on by a thread. Who wants to watch that?

If you feel like you’re falling short in momlife every time you scroll online, you’re not alone. What you see online isn’t real life, friend. This comparison trap only steals our joy and robs us of our peace in motherhood. God has blessed you with kids, and that alone means you can trust His decision in trusting you with His beloved children.

God Is Present in the Ordinary Moments

Moreover, God is present in the small, mundane moments just as much as He is in big milestone ones. He sees you folding another load of laundry, He sees you discipling the third tantrum of the day, and He sees you praying over your babies at bedtime.

Motherhood is a faith walk every day. It’s waking up every morning and seeking the Holy Spirit’s help to lead you in God’s will for your children’s lives. Mothering alone is even harder in your strength. We are weak vessels walking alone without our Father’s help.

In our ordinary moments, we can choose to make them holy moments by submitting ourselves to God’s will and seeking Him daily for help in our mothering.

In our home, I’ve found that returning to a few simple daily rhythms helps bring peace back into the day.

READ: 3 Daily Rhythms for a Peaceful Home

You Don’t Have to Do This Perfectly

When God called you to motherhood, He didn’t call you to parent perfectly. He knows we are sinful beings and our flesh wants to live outside His will. Thankfully, we’ve been given the gift of grace, and this grace flows abundantly onto us through Christ Jesus.

Additionally, every day in our mothering journey brings new challenges and new opportunities to seek the Lord’s help. When we fail or mess up, Jesus has called us to repent and ask for forgiveness. Colossians 3:13 says, “ bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive”.

These small acts of forgiveness add up every day and build a culture in your home of humility. We aren’t called to be perfect mothers. We are called to mother with the Lord’s help, and with His help we can parent in His perfect strength.

READ: Simple Spring Menu for Families (With Free Printable)

Simple Ways to Reset When You Feel Overwhelmed

Furthermore, we all experience those days in motherhood where we feel like our tanks are on empty and we’re emotionally and mentally depleted.

In these moments, we may want to grab the cellphone and zone out on social media. It can seem like watching someone else’s life will help us escape our overwhelm. Unfortunately, this just isn’t so.

For starters, the best solution for peace in our time of overwhelm is to pause and pray. It doesn’t have to be long and wordy. Simply be honest with God and where you’re struggling. Ask Him for peace, for joy, and for His presence to help you in this time of need. God hears our prayers and desires for us to seek Him above all else.

Secondly, our overwhelm can sometimes be from taking on too much or saying yes to something that should have been a no. As mothers, we put so much unnecessary pressure on ourselves to do all the things and fill our schedule, which doesn’t leave room for peace.

Today, let go of the unnecessary pressure of doing all the activities, attending all the birthday parties, and return to the rhythms in your home that bring peace.

Faithfulness Over Perfection

Finally, Motherhood is kingdom work. It requires sacrifice and putting aside our wants to grow and raise our children in God’s ways.

His ways require faith, not perfection. Mama, you are not behind. Resist the temptation to run and scroll online for peace in times of overwhelm.

Instead, choose God first. Run to Him first. Seek Him above all else. While He made you a mother, you are also His daughter. You are His beloved. In your overwhelm, your Father in heaven knows what you need even before you ask it (Matthew 6:8).

You’re building something meaningful—one small, faithful day at a time.

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