Coping with Overwhelm: A Guide for Busy Aussie Mums

Calling all Aussie mums! Do you feel the overwhelm of mum-life? Do you wonder if this is ‘just the way it is’? And wonder if it'll only end once your kids leave home in 18-20 years time?

Being a mum has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Also perhaps THE single most challenging role I've ever navigated. It is filled with nuance. Left turns and right. Crossroads and dead-ends. And all the stunning joy-filled moments. 

Life as a mum can often feel like an endless juggling act. Between work commitments, school pick-ups and events, keeping the house in order, outside of school kids activities, and trying to find time for yourself, it's easy to feel overwhelmed. What if I told you, you don't have to manage everything on your own? (PSA: I don't have a magic pill to sell you). But with some practical strategies, you can work on regaining control and finding more balance, even on your busiest days.

Here are some simple tips to help us as Aussie mums manage the chaos:

1. Create a Routine That Works for Your Family

Every family is different, so it’s important to find a routine that suits your lifestyle. I tried so many different things that simply didn't work for my family and our lifestyle, until I got back to basics. 

So, start with the basics—when school starts, work hours, after-school activities etc—and build around that. In Australia, we have regular school holidays, including the longer summer holidays from December to January. These times can be ideal to regroup as a family. (They can also be very busy times for those of us who work through). But we can use these times (without so much routine) to think about how we want life to look moving forward.  Also ensuring you factor in that all-important time for yourself too - even if its a half an hour here or there to sit in the sun and read a book or your favourite blog! (Don't overthink this!)

2. Share the Load

As mums we often feel like we have to do everything. We don't. Consider how the routine responsibilities can be shared with your partner, kids, or even extended family (if that's available to you). As Aussies we value a sense of community (this will look different for many of us because we've also become a more transient culture over the last few decades), so don’t hesitate to ask for help from trusted friends or neighbours when needed. 

So, simple tasks like getting your partner to pack school lunches or  or having the kids pitch in with chores can free up your time and minimise stress. The younger we can start showing our kids how to pitch in at home, the more natural it will become for them to help out (in developmentally appropriate ways of course!) As a mum I'm always considering how I'm equipping my kids to become independent adults (once they leave home). It's a journey of many little steps along the way. 

3. Utilise Local Support Services

One of the many blessings of living in Australia is our strong sense of/desire for community. This is particularly evident in regional Australia where sporting and other interest based community groups become strong,  influential community spaces where people find connection. 

And depending on where we live  there are various support networks available to us. Whether we need childcare, counselling, or some simple advice, there are plenty of local services and smaller sub-servicess that can lend a hand. If you live regionally and there isn't the specific support you’re in need of there are often online community options available. Reach out to and make use of these resources when things get overwhelming.

4. Prioritise Self-Care

It’s often said, "You can't pour from an empty cup," and it’s true. I learnt this the hard way once my body reached a point of shutdown shortly after having my third child. I couldn't get through a single day without feeling extremely exhausted, highly emotional, and barely able to getting the basics done.

Taking time for yourself is NOT selfish. Can I repeat.  IT IS NOT SELFISH. It’s necessary. Even if it’s just 10 minutes a day, find something that helps you relax, whether it’s reading, going for a walk, or stretching on the lounge room floor. 

Self-care doesn’t have to be fancy or break the bank; something as simple as enjoying a quiet cup of tea in the backyard can do wonders.

5. Stay Connected

Feeling isolated can make overwhelm worse, so it’s important to get connected, then stay connected with your community. This has been a mainstay for me in raising my kids. Our closest family live 600km away. So finding community, who we trust and can do life with has been instrumental in our family journey,  in mine as a mum.  

Whether it’s joining a mums & bubs group, catching up with other mums over coffee, or attending a local event, these social connections can offer important emotional support. Plus, chatting with someone who understands what you’re going through can go a very long way to lifting your spirits.

6. Take It One Day at a Time

You don’t have to solve everything all at once. Overwhelm often takes root when we're looking too far ahead. Try focusing on one day at a time. Set small, manageable goals for each day, and celebrate the little wins. Breaking things down into bite-sized chunks will make life feel less chaotic.

7. Learn to Say "No"

It seems to be a common trait amongst many Aussie mums, to often feel the pressure to say yes to everything.  Realistically,  this is NOT sustainable. It is okay, actually necessary, to set healthy boundaries. If your schedule is full and you’re feeling run down, it’s going to muster some all-important courage to say no to extra commitments. Learning to say no, kindly but firmly, may feel frightening initially. But I can confirm that it is actually lufe altering. Learning to set healthy boundaries will most definitely give you more time and energy for the things that really matter.

Final Thoughts

I'm sure it comes as no surprise to those of us who are mums already, that being a mum is one of the toughest jobs on the planet. Just know that you don’t have to do it alone. By creating a routine, working out what sharing the load looks like for you, and taking time for self-care, you can work on minimising the overwhelm and enjoying more of life’s precious moments.

Your community, whether it's through friends, local services or online, or a combination of all of these, is such an important source of support and encouragement for us as Aussie mums, whether we live in the city or the country. There's absolutely no denying that trusted, safe connection and community are the cornerstone of mum-life. Actually, it's the cornerstone of human life. Move toward connection. 

With you on this journey,  

Glenda