Caregiver burnout is a real thing, and it can happen to anyone who is responsible for the care of another person. Moms are especially vulnerable to burnout, as they often take on a lot of responsibility for their children's physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Whether you are a single parent, caregiver, parent of a child or children with additional needs or medically fragile everyone is prone to burnout. 

Here are some tips on how to deal with caregiver burnout as a mom:

1. Acknowledge your feelings. It's important to acknowledge that you're feeling burned out. Don't try to bottle up your emotions or pretend that you're not struggling. 

2. Talk to someone you trust. Talk to your partner, a friend, family member, therapist, or anyone else you feel comfortable talking to. Talking about how you're feeling can help you to feel less alone and can give you some much-needed support.

3. Take some time for yourself. This is probably the most important thing you can do to prevent burnout. Make sure to take some time for yourself each day, even if it's just for a few minutes. Do something that you enjoy and that helps you to relax and de-stress.Respite care is also an option for parents of children with additional needs, many offer free or reduced cost retreats. 

4. Delegate tasks. Don't try to do everything yourself. Ask for help from your partner, family, or friends. This could involve anything from taking the kids to the park to cooking dinner. 

5. Take care of your physical and mental health. Make sure to get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, and exercise regularly. These things will help you to feel better physically and mentally, which will make it easier to cope with stress.

6. Find a support group. There are many support groups available for moms who are struggling with burnout. These groups can provide you with support, advice, and resources. With the uprise in social media there are more focused groups for your needs where you can find the support that fits your situation. 

7. Talk to your doctor or therapist. If you're feeling overwhelmed and burnt out, it's important to seek help.There is no shame in asking for help, and it can make a big difference in your ability to cope with the challenges of being a mom and caregiver.

8. Set realistic expectations for yourself. Don't try to do everything perfectly. It's okay to make mistakes and to ask for help.Take it easy on yourself, plan easy meals into your week. 

9. Learn to say no. It's okay to say no to requests that you don't have time for or that will add to your stress. Let go of the guilt that caregivers so often feel when saying no. You can’t make time for yourself if you are always taking on tasks others can do. 

10. Take breaks when you need them. If you're feeling overwhelmed, take a few minutes to step away from the situation and relax.This goes for any age and stage, take a minute to do some deep breathing and gather your thoughts.

11. Reward yourself for your accomplishments. When you do something good, take a moment to celebrate your success. This will help you to stay motivated and positive.

12. Resources, Resources, Resources! Look into local, regional and national resources depending on your situation and needs. If you are the caregiver of a child with adaptive needs and medical needs there are places that can help, you would be surprised at the amount of grants, support and assistance is out there to make your journey a little easier. 

Remember, you're not alone. Many moms struggle with caregiver burnout parenting and caregiving is HARD! There are resources available to help you, so don't be afraid to ask for help. 

Resources:

https://www.caregiveraction.org/

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9225-caregiver-burnout

https://www.choosingtherapy.com/mom-burnout/

https://www.getparentingtips.com/parents/health/how-to-survive-caregiver-burnout-as-a-parent-of-kids-with-special-needs/default.asp