#themotherload

[thisisforthemoms]

Coping mechanisms and support structures

Navigating the mental load can feel isolating, but there are strategies and supports that can make a significant difference. Here's what experts suggest (slight eye rolling here..do these experts have kids?) for managing this often overwhelming burden.

### Building a Support Network

Dr. Lisa Feldman, a psychologist specializing in maternal mental health, emphasizes the importance of community. "No mother is an island," she states. "Building a network of support not only divides the load but also provides emotional sustenance. This can be other parents, friends, family members, or even community groups. Remember, asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness."

Support can look like arranging playdates with other families, which not only gives children time to socialize but also provides a space for us mothers to connect and share experiences and resources. Social media and local community centers are excellent resources for finding groups that resonate with your parenting style and challenges.

The only issue I see with this is: A lot of mothers - especially single moms, don't have said network. Family members live further away, friends are not on the same timeline as you if their kids are not in the same age range as yours, and friends without kids...well they are not able to understand why spontaneous outings are not that manageable for us moms. But yes, actively searching for people who can relate and who we connect with, supporting each other when we feel overwhelmed and alone has proven to be very helpful.

I know for some it can be difficult reaching out to strangers, but know you are not alone! There are so many others who feel and think just like you, who are looking to connect with people who understand them and or going through the same things.

### Effective Time Management

"Time management is crucial for reducing stress," notes Mark Robinson (again with the eye rolling...does this man have children I ask myself..), a life coach with a focus on single parents. "Using tools like digital calendars can help us mothers keep track of appointments, school events, and work deadlines all in one place. Additionally, setting aside specific times for planning can prevent last-minute scrambles and ease the mental load."

Simple strategies like preparing meals in advance, organizing clothes and school items the night before, and maintaining a regular routine can also help manage daily tasks more efficiently. This I find to be true. I do feel less stressed in the mornings when I know I took care of the morning prep the evening before.

### Self-Care and Mental Health

Julie Tran, a social worker, stresses the importance of self-care. "Taking time for yourself isn't just about relaxation; it's about preservation," she advises. "This can be as simple as taking a short walk, reading a book, or practicing mindfulness. Regular self-care is essential for mental health and helps you recharge to face daily challenges." But the financial aspect of self-care is often ignored.

When single mothers are not financially equipped in order to make/buy time for said self-care, self-care becomes another task due to planning around the kids’ schedules, household chores, etc. Self-care time has to be tightly scheduled. And even when lying on a massage table, 25.000 tabs are running on high, and your brain doesn’t just shut down on command. No matter where my children are or who is spending time with them/watching over them my thoughts are always with them and their well-being, and hours ahead for when they are back with me. This makes it impossible to "just take a break".

### Community and Policy Advocacy

Campaigns like "Mother's Health" have successfully advocated for increased funding for maternal mental health services, demonstrating the power of community and policy advocacy in supporting mothers.

### Educational Programs

The Austrian education system has initiated programs aimed at redistributing household responsibilities to alleviate the mental load on mothers. These programs are crucial for educating the next generation about fairness and shared duties within the home.

### Conclusion

Understanding and supporting the mental load carried by mothers is essential for healthier families and stronger communities. In Austria, where the traditional and modern blend uniquely, the challenges and solutions may be specific, but the need for awareness and action is universal. Let's continue this conversation, share experiences, and work together to lighten the load.

[strengthrx]

Stay frosty kid! #stayfrosty #lookalive #staybythekidstable #thanksgiving #iftheyonlyknew #gooddays #themotherload #happy #dog #dogs #mansbestfriend #dags #dogsarethebest @Regranned from @pawesome__dogs - #regrann

[kawneemariee]

Jamestown, California

Railtown State Historic Park

[hanjo-love]

Do you consider Hange to be more a wine mom or a soccer mom?

Hello dear ❤️

This is quite an American thing, isn't it? Lol

Okay listen, I've thought about that and my conclusion is: Hange is neither one, or maybe even both? I'll explain:

I've always pictured Hanjo as in out of the norm/out of the box/out of the stereotipical thinking. And it's not even because she's officially non-binary (even though I'm still calling her she/her, sorry about that), but because she's just... different. In every way possible ❤️. You can't put a label on her. She's just Hanjo. The Hanjo we all know and love. The queen of our hearts ❤️

That's why (and here comes the Levihan-trash-me lmao) I love her relationship with Levi. At first glance they're completely opposite of each other, but we all know they actually complete each other and balance each other out. Most importantly, they don't give a shit about stereotypes either. It's not even about her being taller than Levi, which supposedly "doesn't fit stereotypes", it's about her entire personality and the way she's interacting with him.

So my HC has always been that Levi is the stay at home Dad (aka the househusbando) and Hanjo is the hard working scientist Mom (you go girl 💪🏻)

Also at some point in their marriage I believe things turned out this way:

As Levi isn't the most talkative person, Hanjo's the one to do the family's appointments, like talking to their children's teachers etc.

So at one point Hanjo was called to Udo's (yes, Udo is their love child and nobody can change my mind) school to talk to his teacher but she was super busy with her new research so she somehow convinced Levi to go. The next time she convinced him to go to Udo's football/ballet team-meeting (if Udo goes for ballet, his parents will obviously be supportive af 🙌🏻). As time goes by, Levi gets used to do these appointments. He even signs himself into the housewives-club of their street lmao He basically turns into this wine drinking househusband and lowkey enjoys it. So maybe Hanjo needs to balance it out with some football with the kids lmao

Gotta love these dorks so much 😂❤️

I'm sorry this ask turned out into my personal HC 😂 I'm actually really bad at this, but I tried my best ❤️

[blackhalee]

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#wombhealth #themotherload #doula #nurse #fertility #becauseican #aslfriendly

[randgugotur-6]

This Day in Metal 🤘

June 24th 2014 #Mastodon released the album "Once More 'Round The Sun" #ChimesAtMidnight #HighRoad #AsleepInTheDeep #TheMotherload #SludgeMetal

Did you know...

Loudwire listed the album as number 5 on their list of the 20 Best Metal Albums of 2014. https://t.co/NCxxvP6WR4

[mamaensemble-blog]

#rehersal @oahufringe #themotherload show this Thursday @artsatmarks https://www.instagram.com/p/BsVQVAUgxli/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1dkaja52dm7ji

[lisajaynemurray]

We hit the Easter Bunny Motherload #easter #easterbunny #chocolate #sprinkles #themotherload #sweet #instagood #instadaily #igers (at Melbourne, Victoria, Australia)

[a7xfiction]

Whalep, I've finally found her. The worst #pun in the history of #badpuns. #themotherload #themobydickifyouwill #waterterriblepun #yourwhalecum

[minavonvixenofficial-blog]

We've been travelling up the gold country today 🌞 blistering hot bust really cool to see! Here's a few more shots of Jamestown by day. . . #jamestown #california #america #usa #travel #travelblogger #travelblog #blogger #holiday #vacation #western #goldcountry #themotherload #horseandcart (at Jamestown, California)

[liloveatfirstbite-blog]

Not only was the food amazing with the standout being this “PBNJ” Sandwich, but the DJ 🙌🏼 had me dancing my way through the entire meal! If you haven’t been to That Meetball Place yet change your dinner plans! #thatmeetballplace #farmingdaleny #swipeleft👈🏼 #“PBNJ"sandwich #deepfriedpeanutbutternutellaandjellysandwich #meatballparmsliderwithvodkasauce #eggplantparmslider #avocadodeviledegg #tomatotequilashot #buttermilkbuffalochickenballs #meltedmozzarella #themotherload #macandcheeseflatbread #tmpsampler #sympathyforthedevil #skilletcookie#gelato #delicious #musttry #yasss #liloveatfirstbite @thatmeetballplacefarmingdale (at That Meetball Place Farmingdale)

[strengthrx]

Stay frosty kid! #stayfrosty #lookalive #staybythekidstable #thanksgiving #iftheyonlyknew #gooddays #themotherload #happy #dog #dogs #mansbestfriend #dags #dogsarethebest @Regranned from @pawesome__dogs - #regrann

[emmgrp]

Throwing down the hatchet ⛏ (40oz, bone-in tomahawk ribeye + chimichurri marinated lobster w ginger aioli and crispy shallots) #catchla #surfandturf #themotherload #tomahawk #ribeye #lobster #EMMEATS (at Catch LA)

[evolutionvintage]

Current Mood: Husband on a business trip, non-stop kid drama, medical issues for my son, work, appointments, obligations and not a moment to myself. I need rest, hydration and silence. 😂 #Mood #Mumsie #MommyLife #SpecialNeedsParent #selfcarematters #NeedSleep #Mommywood #apicturesworthathousandwords ((The mummy of Queen Tyie , King Akhenaten’s mother,Tomb KV35 Valley of the Kings in Luxor, Egypt. 1898) #Egypt #QuenTyie #Mummy #1898 #TheMotherLoad #OverObligated #CurrentMood #SendCoffee ☕️

[romeodeltabravo]

Kicking off the second last #mastodonmonday is their 2014 album, Once More 'Round The Sun, one of their best works to date. There's an intricate balance between the gritty soundscape of their early work and the more melodic sounds that came later in their career, to the point where it feels like both a natural continuation from their musical work in The Hunter and a throwback to Remission. Oddly for a metal band, this is their first album to follow a theme of death (notably not within a conceptual narrative), though it's more about the journey of death rather than throwing brutal imagery around without purpose. Definitely worth a listen. Highlight tracks include The Motherload, High Road, the title track, Ember City, and Halloween. Available on iTunes and Spotify. Definitely shouldn't have come in to do a cardio night, feels like my organs are strangling themselves, but pushed through. Possibly a change of venue coming up, stay tuned. #gym #health #fitness #fit #beard #ink #tattoos #monday #twofortwo #cardio #comewithmeifyouwanttolift #irontherapy #metalmonday #mastodon #oncemoreroundthesun #themotherload #highroad #embercity #halloween #rock #metal #heavymetal #progressivemetal #2014 #itunes #spotify