20 Signs I’m Too Exhausted to Be a Mom

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Most days, I’m the embodiment of motherhood. As a mom, I should care about everything: from growth milestones to school grades, bedtime stories to dental hygiene, and even the occasional bowel movement. And I genuinely do care. I keep track of homework, monitor attitudes, ensure my kids make the team, schedule dental check-ups, prepare healthy snacks, and create cherished memories. I’m a multitasking master. I plan events, enforce rules, and even pin ideas on Pinterest—occasionally bringing those ideas to life. Seriously, I’m on top of my game. I read every single PTA email and attend all the special assemblies, dressed appropriately and everything. I’m a mom, and I own it.

But let’s be real—there are times when I’m just plain worn out. There are moments when motherhood has left me feeling like a shell of my former self. In those instances, I wish I could just tell the kids and the PTA to handle things on their own. I’m wiped out. I’m officially “mommed out.” When I hit that point, I notice some unmistakable signs that I’m too tired to mom effectively:

1. I’ve thrown in the towel. Literally. I’ve resorted to tossing towels over little messes instead of dealing with them. Wet bed? Towel. Cat vomit? Towel. Icee spill? Towel. My own body spilling over the sides of my swimsuit? Giant towel.
2. Parties are a nightmare. Sure, they sound fun. I used to bake for school parties and spend hours on crafts. Now, I’m that mom who can barely manage a quick drop-off with donuts. Birthday parties? I’m usually rushing through Target, wrapping gifts in the parking lot right before the event begins.
3. FOMO? What’s that? I’ve officially let go of the fear of missing out. I no longer care about what other moms are doing to make their kids’ lives magical—goodbye, FOMO!
4. Empathy? Gone. The other day, I saw a pile of vomit at the mall. My first thought wasn’t sympathy; it was relief that it wasn’t my kid’s.
5. Rules are out the window. I used to be strict about no kids in our bed and no food upstairs. But when I find a child munching nachos in my bed, I just sigh and accept it. I mean, they’re making their own breakfast—sure, it’s ice cream at 9 a.m., but they’re self-sufficient, right?
6. Laundry mountain is my Everest. Just pick your clothes from the dryer, kids, and be thankful they made it there in the first place.
7. Nutritional chaos. When Lunchables and Hot Pockets become staples in the fridge, it’s clear that mom has hit her limit. By midweek, we’re either hitting the drive-thru or serving up whatever frozen food I can find.
8. Following through on punishments? Forget it. Taking away the iPad hurts me more than it hurts them—it’s my only chance for peace!
9. Shortcuts are my new best friend. Why bother with original bedtime stories when I can just recount the plot of “Can’t Buy Me Love”? Why vacuum when the dog can do the job?
10. Bribes are my parenting style. I know my kid’s “currency,” and it usually involves snacks or toys.
11. My daughter sleeps in her clothes. Again. It’s a battle I’m too tired to fight.
12. Curse words slip out. Sometimes, I’m just too exhausted to filter my language.
13. I ignore fights. If I hear chaos upstairs, I’m likely to just let it be. I’m betting on the little one to win, anyway.
14. Minecraft is my babysitter. My kids have probably been glued to Minecraft while I write this. Isn’t it educational?
15. “Go away!” is my mantra. I love my kids, but sometimes I would rather endure anything than play one more round of Chutes and Ladders.
16. I’m okay with quitting. My daughter is passionate about activities until I commit financially. When my son wanted to quit soccer, we talked about commitment but secretly celebrated our newfound free weekends.
17. I’m a deceptive parent. I might bend the truth on reading logs or bedtime stories. I’ve even told my kids that Chuck E. Cheese’s burned down. Maybe.
18. Buying my freedom. I’ll gladly splurge on scented candles just to get out of Bath & Body Works faster.
19. My kid is still in that Halloween shirt. And it’s June. I can’t muster the energy for that fight.
20. Did I say 20 signs? I can’t think of another one. I’ll try harder tomorrow; we all will.

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In summary, motherhood can be overwhelming, and exhaustion is a common feeling among parents. Recognizing the signs of fatigue allows for a more honest conversation about the challenges of parenting. Embrace the chaos, and remember that tomorrow is another day to try again!