There was a moment when I was standing in my kitchen, staring at a pile of unopened medical bills, my phone buzzing with therapy reminders, and a sink full of dishes that might as well have been Mount Everest. I remember thinking, Okay, but seriously… how am I supposed to keep up with all of this? The truth is, I was deep in medical mom burnout—trying to do everything, be everything, and keep everything running without completely falling apart.
Spoiler alert: I couldn’t. And I still can’t. And guess what? That’s okay.
Medical moms are basically expected to be part nurse, part therapist, part case manager, and somehow still function as a regular human who feeds themselves and remembers to change the laundry before it starts smelling weird. But here’s what I’ve learned: it’s not about doing it all—it’s about doing what actually matters.
The Moment I Knew I Had Medical Mom Burnout
I was attempting to schedule therapy sessions, answer work emails, and make a mental grocery list all at once when my husband walked in and casually asked, “Did you eat lunch today?” His question made me realize the depth of my medical mom burnout.
Cue the blank stare. Had I eaten? Had I even stood up in the last few hours? Unclear. That was my wake-up call.
I realized I couldn’t keep going at this pace without fully self-destructing. Medical mom burnout sneaks up fast, and if we don’t find a way to manage it, we end up running on fumes. And honestly, this moment wasn’t the first time I had to come to terms with how different my life was. When my son was first diagnosed, I remember realizing that life with a medically complex child isn’t normal—no matter how much I wanted it to be. (I wrote about that realization here.)
I’d already learned this lesson once before—when my son was first diagnosed with cerebral palsy, I spiraled into an endless Google rabbit hole, trying to figure out everything on my own. It took way too long for me to realize that instead of stressing myself out and reading medical journals I barely understood, I needed to lean on the people who actually knew what they were talking about. (Doctors, therapists, social workers, NPs, I’m looking at you!)
What Helped Me Find Balance (AKA Not Losing My Mind Completely)
1. Prioritizing (and Re-Prioritizing) Daily
I started using strategies from what is now The Medical Mom Reset Workbook and honestly? Game. Changer. Instead of feeling like I was constantly putting out fires, I actually started feeling semi in control.
I finally got clear on what actually needed my attention and what could wait (spoiler: the dishes could always wait). If you’re drowning in the chaos, grab it here—because medical life doesn’t come with an instruction manual, but this is pretty close. It’s a great way to combat medical mom burnout.
2. Asking for Help (Without Feeling Like a Failure)
Delegating used to feel like admitting defeat. Now? I delegate like a boss.
- Husband? Here’s the therapy schedule—congratulations, you now manage half of it.
- Family? Yes, you can watch the kids while I breathe for five minutes.
- Outsourcing? Instacart, I love you. Take my money.
Oh, and if you need actual tools to keep your appointments, therapy schedules, and general life somewhat organized, I highly recommend ClickUp. (use this link for 10% off!) Because my brain cannot handle one more thing and this keeps it all in one place.
3. Letting Go of Perfection (And Also, the Laundry)
Some days, the laundry gets folded. Some days, it sits in the basket so long my kids start pulling clothes directly from it. Some days, dinner is an actual meal. Some days, we call cereal “brinner” and move on. And guess what? The world keeps turning.
It’s Okay to Choose What Matters Most
If you’re feeling like you’re barely treading water, I want you to know you’re not alone. Medical mom burnout is real, and it’s okay to let things go. It’s okay to say no. And it’s absolutely okay to take a breath and just be.
And if you need a little help figuring out how to manage it all (without actually doing it all), I’ve got you. The Medical Mom Reset Workbook is packed with practical strategies and tools to help you stay organized and sane—without adding extra stress to your plate.
You’ve got this, mama. And if you don’t? Well… neither do I. But we’re making it work anyway.
**Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission—at no extra cost to you—if you make a purchase. I only recommend things I actually love and use in my own medical mom life!
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