When It Feels Like Too Much: Why Moms Are Stressed (And Where You Can Turn)

There’s no shortage of advice out there for moms. How to balance it all. How to keep your cool. How to do more with less.

But here’s something that doesn’t get said enough: Being a mom is hard.

Sure, motherhood is filled with love and joy, but it also comes with its fair share of challenges. Even when things are going well, it can feel like you’re being pulled in every direction — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Maybe your toddler is melting down as you’re trying to answer work emails. Or maybe you’re reheating the same cup of coffee for the third time and wondering how everyone else seems to manage.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, burned out, or alone, you’re not failing. You’re not broken. You're human. And you're not alone.

At Parents Helping Parents, we’re here to remind you that support exists, and you don’t have to wait until things feel like they’re falling apart to reach for it. Our free, confidential Parent Stress Line is here for any caregiver needing someone to talk to.

What Moms Are Carrying Right Now

Moms are carrying a lot.

Parenting has always been demanding, but recent data shows just how heavy the load has really become. In 2023, 41% of parents said that most days they are so stressed they can’t function. And more than half (57%) of parents self-reported experiencing burnout. 

It’s not just about the physical tasks (even though those can be never-ending). It’s the mental and emotional work, too:

• Remembering the dentist appointments

• Keeping the peace in the house

• Trying to meet everyone’s needs — often while putting your own last

This invisible weight has a name: the mental load. 

Many moms carry it quietly, day after day. It refers to the invisible or unseen task of keeping the family running: remembering appointments, anticipating everyone’s needs, keeping track of school forms and grocery lists, planning meals, and checking on everyone else’s well-being. It’s thinking about what’s needed next, even when you’re already doing something else. 

The mental load is rarely seen, but it’s always there. And too often, it’s carried by one person silently without acknowledgment.

Paige Turner, a mother of four, expressed her frustration this way: “Despite being supportive, loyal, and a hands-on father, [my husband] lacked initiative in home management, leaving her to shoulder the 'mental load' of organizing and managing family life.”

For many moms, that mental to-do list never really turns off.

In many families, moms are also the ones doing the research and reading articles to find tools and tricks to help toddlers' sleep habits or how to talk to a teen about anxiety. They carry more than just the logistics — they also have the responsibility of knowing what to do and when to do it.

When this type of mental and emotional labor is unshared, it can lead to resentment, fatigue, and the feeling of being alone. It’s no wonder so many moms feel stretched thin — it’s because they are.

“I Didn’t Think Anyone Would Understand.”

One of the hardest parts of parenting stress is the silence. Many moms don’t talk about how hard things really are — not with their friends, not on social media, and sometimes, not even with their partners. 

Many moms express feelings of isolation and self-blame when overwhelmed. We hear from moms all the time who say:

• “I felt like I was supposed to be able to handle everything.”

• “I love my kids so much, but I’m so tired.”

• “I didn’t know I was allowed to ask for help.”

These feelings are real. And they’re more common than you might think.

You might be doing everything you can to hold it together on the outside, but inside, you’re running on empty. Maybe you’ve tried to push through. Maybe you’ve told yourself it’s just a phase. But deep down, you know you could really use someone to talk to.

That’s where the Parent Stress Line comes in. No pressure, no judgment — just a listening ear from someone who understands.

Free Resources for Moms Feeling Overwhelmed

You don’t need to have the right words or even have a plan. These resources exist so you don’t have to carry everything by yourself.

Whether you need immediate support or are just looking for a space to feel seen and heard, these organizations are here to meet you where you are, whenever you need it.

If you’re at the point where things feel like too much or even if you’re just having a rough day, here are a few free, confidential places where you can find support:

• Parent Stress Line – 1-800-632-8188
  A free, anonymous phone line available 24/7. You’ll speak to a counselor trained to listen and support, not judge or fix. Sometimes, just being heard can make a world of difference.

• PHP Weekly Support Groups
  Free virtual support groups for all caregivers. Open to anyone who needs space to talk, connect, or just be. You don’t have to say much — you don’t even have to turn your camera on. Just come as you are.

• Postpartum Support International
  Free online groups and resources for parents dealing with postpartum depression, anxiety, or stress.

• National Maternal Mental Health Hotline – 1-833-943-5746
  24/7 support for anyone struggling during pregnancy or after birth. You can call or text anytime.

• 211.org
  A national resource to help you find local support for everything from child care to housing to mental health. Just enter your zip code.

You’re Not Alone in This

There’s no prize for doing it all on your own, and there’s no shame in needing help.

At Parents Helping Parents, we believe that support can change everything. Whether you're a new mom, a single parent, a stepmom, or a grandparent doing it all again, we welcome you into a community of people who get it.

There’s power in simply being heard. And sometimes, just knowing you’re not the only one can help lighten the load.

Over the years, Parents Helping Parents has supported thousands of families through calls and groups — and every single one was met with compassion, not judgment.

If You’re Reading This, You’ve Already Taken a Brave First Step

It’s not easy to admit that you’re struggling. It’s not easy to reach out. But you’re here, and that’s what matters.

If you need someone to talk to, we’re here to listen.

• Call the Parent Stress Line anytime at 1-800-632-8188.

• Or join one of our free support groups — you’ll be welcomed exactly as you are.

You don’t have to do this alone. We’re here when you need us.