By Annie Rosemurgy | Photo by Benjamin Manley on Unsplash
Families with young kids are in an undeniably busy season of life. It’s common for moms to feel depleted, overwhelmed and on the verge of burnout. But it doesn’t need to be this way.
“Where is it written that moms have it do it all?” asks Jamie Mamerow, life coach and owner of Dot Your I, LLC. Being a mom should not be synonymous with being exhausted from doing all the things for everyone, she says. Mamerow teaches clients first to identify the problematic mindsets that can lead to overwhelm (“I’m the only one who can do this” or, “being exhausted after a day of caretaking is part of being a good mom”).
Next, she helps clients build systems that lift the burden off mom, leaving her more time and energy for activities that replenish her. Communication is the heart and soul of Mamerow’s method. Mom learns to set boundaries and ask for help (without guilt!), which allows her to teach the value of teamwork within the home. Building a teamwork mentality strengthens the family unit and teaches children lifelong skills, says Mamerow.
Essential to Mamerow’s teachings is the notion that children are keen observers of their first and most important teachers — their parents. “We have to remember that our girls are future mothers — we’re the [role] models,” she says.
Moms who practice self-care (which can look different for everyone) embody those values for their children. “When Mom leads by example, she’s an amazing role model for a strong girl,” Mamerow says.
