Motherhood comes with incredible love and an overwhelming amount of pressure.
The pressure to “do it all,” to be everything to everyone, and to somehow do it perfectly.

If you’re feeling exhausted, burnt out, or like you’re constantly falling short, you’re not alone.
Today, I want to share 5 common missteps I see moms make when they’re trying to juggle it all and what you can do instead to feel more empowered, supported, and human again.

Not Prioritizing Your Own Self-Care

Mom burnout is real, but you can’t pour from an empty cup. There’s a reason airlines tell you to put your oxygen mask on first – because you can’t help others if you’re running on fumes yourself.

Yet so many moms feel guilty for prioritizing even the smallest moments of self-care.

Here’s the truth: Prioritizing your needs isn’t selfish – it’s survival. When you take care of yourself, you’re better equipped to show up fully for your children, your partner, and yourself. Start small: a walk outside, a quiet cup of coffee, a deep breath before rushing into the next task.

It matters. You matter.

Comparing Yourself (and Your Baby) to Others

We’ve all done it – compared our baby’s sleep, feeding habits, or milestones to someone else’s child. But no two families are alike, and no two babies are the same.

Just because your sister’s baby is sleeping through the night and yours isn’t yet doesn’t mean you’re doing anything wrong. It just means you’re walking a different path. And that’s okay!

If you’re happy with your situation, there’s no need to change just because someone else is doing things differently. And if you’re not happy with how things are going? Give yourself grace. Beating yourself up serves no one.

Believing You Should Be Able to “Do It All” Alone

No one can do it all. Let me say that again: No one can do it all.

It’s okay to ask for help. In fact, it’s honorable. Asking for help says, “I want to be the best I can for my child. And sometimes that means leaning on others”.

Support, whether it’s from a partner, family member, friend, or professional, isn’t a weakness.
It’s a strength. It shows you are wise enough to know that thriving requires a village.

Telling Yourself You Just Have a “Bad Sleeper”

Sleep is a skill, just like walking or riding a bike. It can be taught and learned with guidance, practice, and encouragement.

When parents believe their child is simply a “bad sleeper,” it often leads to frustration and hopelessness. But with the right tools and a personalized approach, every child can learn to sleep well, and it’s a gift they’ll benefit from for the rest of their life.

Your baby is capable.
You are capable.
Sometimes, you just need the right support.

Making Crying Mean You’ve Failed

Crying is one of the ways babies and toddlers communicate. It doesn’t always mean something is wrong, or that you’re doing something wrong.

Think about putting your child in a car seat:
Maybe they cry because they don’t like being restrained. But you still buckle them in because you know it’s what’s safest for them, even if they don’t understand it yet.

The same idea applies when we help our children learn new skills, like independent sleep.
Crying can be part of the process, but it doesn’t mean you are harming your child.
It means they are experiencing frustration, and that’s a normal, healthy part of growth.

Final Thoughts

Motherhood doesn’t require you to be everything, to everyone, all the time.
You’re allowed to take care of yourself.
You’re allowed to ask for help.
You’re allowed to believe that good sleep (and less exhaustion!) is possible for your family.

✨ You don’t have to do it alone.
✨ You don’t have to settle for surviving.
✨ You deserve to thrive.

If you’re ready to create healthier sleep habits for your little one, and feel more confident and rested as a mom, I would love to support you and teach you how to stop mom guilt!

👉 Click here to schedule a free sleep assessment or send me an email at yvonne@dreamworthysleeps.com.

Let’s work together to create the rested, happy home you deserve. 💜