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Do your days need some ROUTINE and order to make it through? Get our DAILY ROUTINE BUNDLE 50% off today!

Do your days need some ROUTINE and order to make it through? Get our DAILY ROUTINE BUNDLE 50% off today!

Inside you’ll find the real reason you’re a tired mom. Also, here’s some encouragement for the emotionally exhausted mom.

Mothers of young children – particularly stay-at-home moms – tend to get a bad rap.

Why doesn’t she do her hair more often?

She seems to only wear “athleisure.”

Even though she’s at home, the house still isn’t clean.

She doesn’t even have to go to work… why’s she so stressed?

Sure, mothers may sleep a little less and be busy at home during this season with small children.

We can be so tired even when it seems (to the outside world) like we never do much of anything since we’re home all day.

Why are moms so tired?

I have a theory on that.

It is this.

➡️ Hyper-vigilance

Hyper-vigilance is defined as an enhanced state of sensory sensitivity accompanied by an exaggerated intensity of behaviors whose purpose is to detect threats. Hyper-vigilance denotes a constant scanning of the environment for threats, exhaustion, and abnormally increased awareness (source).

That’s why you’re a tired mom…

Normally, the term “hyper vigilance” is used in clinical settings.

In this post. I’m using the term to draw a parallel to parenting.

So, for parents, hyper-vigilance is basically being in a heightened state of awareness, fight-or-flight and protection mode on behalf of our children who are too young to do it for themselves properly, if at all.

Read: The Real Reason Moms Never Have Enough Time (Hint: It’s Not Because They Waste It)

You are in a lot of “Fight-or-flight”

Fight-or-flight occurs when someone perceives a threat of danger and experiences physiological symptoms that will help them to fight or flee. Anxiety and worry are basically heightened states of awareness. If you are anxious, then it’s almost as if your body is in a low-level state of fight-or-flight.

So, how does this concern us? Well, by the time our children are mobile they begin to explore their environments. Things that were seemingly safe, like a chair, suddenly become an opportunity for big falls.

Functional things like toilet cleaners or food processors become objects of potential disaster.

Even after a house is “child-proofed” there will still be many times when your young ones will attempt something (even if they only attempt it once) that is dangerous to them.

Since they can’t register this danger, we do.

Therefore, even when we are sleeping we are aware.

One child is out of sight and quiet.

Oh. No.

Jimbo is halfway up the bookshelf and attempting a Batman-about-to-fly pose. Daisy Mae is trying to lock her 1-year-old brother in the dark pantry.

When we are in charge of little ones we are constantly in high awareness. Physiologically, this is exhausting.

Read: 15 ways to occupy your kids if you need to get things done

Less time to yourself

Spending all day focusing on other people is just very tiring.

It is a privilege to be a mother and a joy to sacrifice, but the effects do accumulate. From sun up to sundown you are directly focused on others. Up until motherhood you’ve likely had much of the day to yourself.

Even in 9 to 5 jobs, while working, you can go to the bathroom alone. Get a coffee or diet coke when you so desire. Phone calls can be made without worrying that a sudden screech or disconnection will occur.

Commutes to and from work offer time to process, read a book or relax.

Read: The Ultimate Guide To Having A Mother’s Helper You’ll Love

The commute from your bed to the kitchen table is slightly too short to be of good use.

Even with well-behaved children (never mind the strong willed ones!) and a good routine you are still focused on the kids.

That is your job.

It is good and right, but dadgummit, it is exhausting.

This is why we must process, recharge, and get refreshed.

Read: How To Live Within Your Limits & Hold Your Boundaries

Multi-tasking takes its toll

I am a multi-tasker to the extreme.

Why do one thing if I can do 6 and plan another in my head at the same time?

When I walk from one room to the other I put away 3 things in the process. I will make a phone call, change a diaper and hold a baby at the same time. This is helpful in that it allows us to accomplish many things at once.

➡️ It is unhelpful when it means we are so busy that we do not relax and rest.

If you are like me (and I really hope for your sake that you aren’t) then you find it hard to slow down, smell the coffee or roses, and not worry about the state of the house, the children’s faces, or the laundry room.

It seems to sprite girls in their early 20’s (and men of all ages) that women who are at home all day should not be tired and have no excuse for a dirty house.

Or to not have a perfectly coiffed hairdo.

Oh, and nails to match each day’s outfit.

The simple fact is that the pressures of home are many and they are heavy.

Read: 5 Things Emotionally Exhausted Moms Need To Hear

And so…

We encourage routines , independent play for your children, and a good sleeping system for everyone involved.

Still, with all these things in place, a busy life and never-ending piles of laundry, stacks of dishes, and food to cook can wear us out.

The next time someone looks at you with that “why do you seem so out of it when you are home all day?” look… just smile to yourself and know.

You are tired because none of your children drank bleach on your watch today.

You are weary because everyday last week you made sure your little ones had food in their bellies, even if it wasn’t mostly organic and preservative free.

You could use a nap because the house has not burned down and the walls are still upright, though perhaps with crayons, markers or fingernail polish you forgot to lock up.

No matter how organized, efficient and structured you are as a mother and no matter how obedient and well-behaved your children, being a mother to young ones requires focus, concentration and a heightened sense of awareness.

It makes us tired.

But, when I’m 95 on my deathbed sleeping half the day away and bored, I think I’ll look back on these trying days with a smile.

Because that’s what mothers do.

We just get on with what needs to be done.

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