3 Ways to Avoid Work at Home Mommy Burnout

One thing I've noticed since becoming a WAHM is that it's a lot easier to get burnt out. My theory is that this is because work and home literally are the same things, where before there was a lot of separation between the two. When you experience burn-out as a WAHM, it affects not only your work, but also your children and your home. Since so much is at stake, it's important to come up with a game plan. Here are a few simple things that you can incorporate to avoid WAHM burn-out.

Know Your Limits

 As your own boss, it's easy to say yes to every opportunity that presents itself. It's important to be honest about what your limits are. To have a successful freelancing career, you need to maintain a balance between home and work. If you're taking on too many work opportunities, you're working environment will get chaotic, making your work sub-standard. Take time to evaluate your priorities and decide exactly how much work you can take on. This is best measured in hours, such as deciding to only work a maximum of 20 hours a week.

Look Out For Number One

A common misconception is that self-care is selfish. That couldn't be further from the truth. Taking good care of yourself actually allows you to be able to better take care of others. It's important to regularly take time for yourself each day. Taking time for yourself doesn't have to be a routine spa trip, it can be something as simple as reading a book and drinking a cup of tea in the evening. For some of us, taking care of ourselves means not neglecting those hobbies that we love, just to earn a few extra bucks. Make "you" time in your daily schedule to pursue those things that you love.

Know Your Signs

 For many of us, burn-out doesn't happen all at once. There are generally a few tell-tale signs that show what's to come. When I'm about to reach my limit, I get cranky, tired, and lately extremely sick. When I start to notice those physical and emotional signs, I know it's time to take some time out to just relax. You can also diagnose which life area is lacking balance by using the same method. You might need to cut back on the workload and invest in your marriage if you see certain signs in your husband, or your children might need a little extra attention if you see these signs in them. Keep an open mind to the people around you to stop burnout before it happens.

What are your favorite ways to avoid WAHM burnout?