In this episode of The Thriving Mompreneur podcast, host Liz Kent, a licensed therapist and life coach for overwhelmed moms, sits down with fellow licensed clinical professional counselor Allie McQuaid. They dive deep into the often-overlooked "mental load" that back-to-school season places on mothers.
From anticipating children's emotions and managing new routines to handling logistics like school supplies and activity schedules, Liz and Allie offer practical strategies and insightful tips to help moms navigate this demanding transition with more ease and less stress. They emphasize the importance of self-compassion, communication with partners, leveraging available tools, and redefining "outsourcing" to create a more balanced and thriving back-to-school experience for the entire family.
Key Takeaways
Anticipate and Process Emotions (Your Own and Your Kids'): Back-to-school brings a mix of emotions—excitement, resistance, and even guilt for moms. Acknowledge and create space for these feelings, recognizing that it's a significant transition for everyone.
Redefine and Utilize "Outsourcing": Outsourcing isn't just about expensive services. It can be as simple as using Target pickup for school supplies, ordering online from craft stores, or even delegating tasks to school-aged children. Look for ways to simplify and remove steps from your plate.
Prioritize Communication and Shared Responsibility with Partners: Implement regular "game planning" sessions with your partner to review schedules and logistics. Consider a shared email address for school and activity communications to ensure both parents are equally informed and can distribute the mental load.
Leverage Tools and Technology for Organization: Whether it's a shared digital calendar (like Google Calendar), a physical calendar, or an interactive display like the Skylight Calendar, find a system that works for your family to keep everyone informed and engaged in managing schedules and tasks.
Practice Self-Compassion and Adjust Expectations: The back-to-school period is a significant adjustment. Be kind to yourself, understand that you might "drop the ball" occasionally, and allow for unstructured time and simpler routines (like themed meal nights or even cereal for dinner) to reduce overwhelm.
Quotes From the Episode
"Anticipating what's coming...is part of that intangible load that moms carry."
"We put these expectations as moms to make these experiences and opportunities for our kids and we're anticipating they're going to react a certain way. And maybe it's not as big of a deal to them as it is to us."
"Making sure that both people feel heard and that not one is carrying most of the load."
"Moms do not have to just take all of this on. Like if you have school-aged kids, they can definitely participate in some things and both partners can definitely participate in managing all of the logistics."
"Be kind to yourself. This is an emotion for moms too. There's a lot of moving pieces and staying organized helps, but being kind to yourself and adjusting your expectations."
Resources Mentioned
Host Liz Kent
Instagram: @LizKentCoaching
Website: https://www.lizkentcoaching.com/
Facebook Group: The Thriving Mompreneur Collective
Guest Allie McQuaid
Instagram: @millennialmomtherapist
Website: https://www.treehousetherapyllc.com
Google Calendar: A free, shared online calendar tool for managing schedules and appointments.
Skylight Calendar: An interactive digital family calendar display designed to help organize schedules, chores, and grocery lists.
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