Why Back-to-School Season Feels So Overwhelming for Moms
Back-to-school isn’t just about buying supplies and adjusting bedtimes—it’s a full-on mental, emotional, and logistical shift that can leave moms running on fumes. Whether you’re navigating kindergarten drop-offs, managing inconsistent routines, or juggling work with chaotic schedules, it’s a lot. If you’re feeling burned out, resentful, or like you’re already behind before September even starts—you’re not alone. Support like therapy for mothers or therapy intensives in Ohio can help you reset, regulate, and come back to yourself. You were never meant to hold it all without help.
Why Am I the Only One Who Notices Everything?
We’ve talked before about the mental load of motherhood...the nonstop, invisible work of remembering, planning, organizing, and anticipating everything your family needs. But today? Let’s talk about what we can actually do about it.
Because the reality is, knowing you’re overwhelmed doesn’t make the overwhelm go away. So let’s look at why the mental load is so heavy, how it’s affecting you, and the real, practical steps you can take to lighten it.
Why Am I the Only One Who Notices We’re Out of Toilet Paper? The Mental Load of Motherhood—and How Therapy Can Help
The mental load refers to the cognitive effort involved in managing a household and family life. It’s the constant thinking, planning, anticipating, remembering, and worrying. It’s the reason why your partner can relax on the couch and enjoy the movie, while your brain is mentally sorting tomorrow’s schedule and wondering whether that rash on your toddler’s leg means something.
It’s why you’re so tired all the time—even when you technically “haven’t done that much.” And it’s also why so many moms end up in therapy, not because they’re failing, but because they’ve been functioning too well for too long without support.
When You’re the “Strong One”: What Happens When Moms are Tired of Holding It All Together
When moms tell me they’re “just overwhelmed” or “fine, just tired,” I often hear what they’re not saying:
“I’m not okay, but I don’t know how to not be okay.”
“If I stop holding it all together, everything might fall apart.”
“Everyone’s used to me being capable. What happens if I can’t be?”
These aren’t dramatic thoughts. They’re protective ones. And they’re often learned from a lifetime of having to be more than okay to feel safe, loved, or useful.