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How To Manage a Mommy Meltdown (Without a Trip to Target)

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Managing a Mommy Meltdown - I need this for those tough days!!!Let me paint a picture of something we are all familiar with.

You’ve been up with someone all night long.

And that someone was probably either throwing up, pooping, or wanting to suck on your boob every 5 minutes.

The sun finally peeks over the horizon and your other children are now awake and demanding food, squeezing toothpaste all over the countertops, and bringing out every toy in their closets.

Someone gets hurt climbing on the couch.

Siblings argue over the the last waffle.

The How-to-Homeschool book you recently bought is gathering dust on the counter.

You check Facebook in between kissing booboos, wiping up syrup spills, and throwing your hair in a messy bun and you see that all your friends have gone for a jog at 4 am, actually taken showers, dressed their children in adorable matching outfits, and shared photos of their morning smoothie #kale.

Someone discovers a trail of sugar ants in the pantry.

You hear what sounds like a box of toothpicks being dropped on the floor in the next room.

You discover that the dog has eaten your favorite pair of shoes.

A child that might belong to the neighbors comes barreling through the kitchen with muddy feet.

You go through an old pile of mail to find a bill that is now past due.

Finally, you sit down to breathe for a minute, reach for your coffeemaker and…

It’s broken.

That is the moment where the tears start piling up in your eyes and spilling over like the mountain of laundry that is overflowing in the upstairs hallway.

You yell at the next little person who walks in the room to ask for a banana (which you know you will find later in the week under someone’s bed).

You race to the bathroom for a full out ugly cry session, but as you sit on the toilet, 3 sets of hands start poking their way under the door crack.

How is a woman supposed to deal with these moments without pulling out what’s left of her post-natal head of hair or spending a child’s college fund on a therapy shopping trip to Target?

Here are some ways that I have learned to cope on those days when ALL HOPE SEEMS LOST.

#1 – Take a 5 minute Time-Out

When I feel my insides bubbling like a bottle of Diet Coke with a Mentos in it, I try to stop things before the big explode.  I will announce loudly that Mommy (not them) needs a time-out and then head to a spot in the house to be alone for 5 minutes.  Usually this is the bathroom.

*Note – If seeing hands poking under the door bothers you, climb into the shower and close the curtain.*

The hardest part is sticking to 5 minutes.  Be careful not to fall asleep in there or get lost checking email (and don’t – I repeat – DON’T get on Instagram or Facebook during a mommy meltdown – scrolling through everyone’s ‘best’ moments will not help your current situation) because for every minute past 5, a child will probably be doing something in the house that will create more work and drama for you later – like getting into the china cabinet or playing with your favorite pieces of jewelry in the kitchen sink.

#2 – Get dressed

If you are still in your pajamas – put some clothes on.

Sometimes just putting a bra or mascara on gives me that extra umph to think clearly.

#3 – Make contact with the outside world

Often we need to get out of our 4 walls and be reminded that there are other women out there having rough mornings too.  A few days ago when a solo trip to Ikea went really bad – like one kid screaming hysterically through the store for 15 minutes straight because his flip flop felt sticky???  And the other kid throwing a tantrum because we’d already gone on the elevator 503 times and he wanted 504???  She promptly responded with her own tale of a child just having a massive meltdown in the library.  The library, people.   We were able to encourage each other to keep persevering and I felt loads better.  Not because I was happy about my friend’s bad experience, I was just relieved to know that I wasn’t alone.

#4 – Turn on some worship music

When my spirit is in turmoil, I reach for my CD player (I am slightly old-fashioned and don’t have an iPod yet). 🙂

Listening to worship music (Hillsong, Elevation, Jesus Culture, BETHEL) or any Kari Jobe album (which is the equivalent of listening to angels sing) is an essential tool in my mommy meltdown arsenal.

Every once in awhile I will even scoop up my kids, buckle them in the car, give them a bag of Goldfish, set up the worship music and go for a drive.  Sometimes just driving around listening to songs about the Lord’s faithful, loving hand – with no destination in mind – can create an unexpected peace.

Just make sure that your turbulent mental state isn’t going to cause you to hit the gas pedal too hard.  Adding a speeding ticket to your already ‘perfect’ day will not be amusing.

Plus, it’s not safe.

#5 – Have a ‘Do Over’

On days when nothing is going right, attitudes are stinky, and situations keep circling from bad to worse, I tell my children that we are having a Do Over.  We all climb in bed and pretend to start the day over.  We ‘wake up’, greet each other happily and begin the day again with all our normal morning routines.  You can even go as far as serving breakfast a second time.  Whip up a batch of homemade waffles to redeem that argument from earlier. 🙂

This usually gets everyone smiling and is a great demonstration of that verse from Lamentations about His mercies being new every morning…

#6 – Do something nice for someone else

Having a bad mommy day?  Go Ding Dong Diaper Ditch a new mom.  Or leave a new doormat on someone’s doorstep.  Or head to Starbucks and pay for the order of the person behind you.  Text a friend an encouraging word.  Send someone an E-card.

Check out my new eBook for even more ideas.

You will feel better.  I promise.

#7 – Bedtime Redemption

When all else fails and the day is ending and you reflect back on a whole lot of tense situations, angry glares, and harsh words, I like to use bedtime as a place to seek my childrens’ forgiveness for the ways I failed to honor the Lord (and them) with my behavior that day.  There is something special about those moments before bed – their little hearts are a bit more open (possibly because they know hanging out with me allows them to stay up later – ha!), but nonetheless, they are a bit more subdued than during the waking hours and it makes for a quiet pocket to reconnect.

**End the day well.**

#8 – The only thing that will REALLY work

The above suggestions are great, but managing a mommy meltdown can truly only be solved with the powerful words of God.

Because often a mommy meltdown is fueled by overwhelming feelings of weakness, unrealistic expectations, inadequacy, failure, self-condemnation, and other destructive lies.

And the only way to destroy lies is to replace them with truth.

Speak to yourself Psalm 18:32 – “It is God who arms me with strength and makes my way perfect.”

Or Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Or Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Or a favorite of mine – Deuteronomy 33:12, “Let the beloved of the Lord rest secure in him, for he shields him all day long, and the one the Lord loves rests between His shoulders.”

Those are the words that will wash over your soul and remove away the anger and stress and 100,000 tiny things that led you to the point of critical mass.

So when you’re headed to the bathroom for your 5-minute time-out, grab the Bible on your way.

Use those precious minutes to get filled up with all the wonderful promises He has for you in that Good Book.

And when your 5 minutes are up, let Him lift you up on His shoulders and carry you out of the bathroom and through your house (stepping over the laundry and discarded banana and yes, toothpicks) to continue pressing on in the calling of motherhood.

Being a mom is tough.  Days like the one I described above are probably going to happen and you will probably struggle to manage it well (unless you happen to be in the Duggar family).

But grace is about His strength being made perfect in weakness.

So let your mommy meltdown be the thing that draws you closer to Him instead of closer to bankruptcy.

Because Target ain’t got nothing on Jesus.

How do you manage a Mommy Meltdown?

– Julie 🙂

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” Hebrews 4:16

Fairy Thoughts, Fairy Tips, Motherhood
Faith, Mommy Encouragement, Mommy Meltdowns
20 Comments

About Happy Home Fairy

Julie Brasington is a Preschool Director, wife of a South Florida Worship Pastor and mom of 3 boys. She writes at Happy Home Fairy where you can find easy craft ideas, FREE printables, simple recipes, holiday fun, thoughts on raising kids, and encouragement for moms.

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Reader Interactions

20 Comments

  1. Debbie

    July 29, 2014 at 3:32 pm

    Thank you for this! I love the idea of a do-over. Never thought about that 🙂 And you’re so right about serving someone else. Great idea! Totally pinned 🙂

    reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      July 29, 2014 at 3:40 pm

      Debbie – you are the greatest. 🙂

      reply to this comment
  2. Rebekah

    July 29, 2014 at 3:36 pm

    Thank you. It’s one of those days- ants declaring war, a 17 month old trying to eat everything except his food, two potty accidents, quarreling siblings…It helps to remember I am not alone. The toddler has gone down for his nap, so I am going to go reflect on those Scripture verses.

    reply to this comment
    • Happy Home Fairy

      July 29, 2014 at 3:40 pm

      Rebekah! You are not alone! You are a GREAT mommy. 🙂 Hang in there, sweet sister!!

      reply to this comment
  3. Rachel A. Hanson

    July 29, 2014 at 3:42 pm

    This is absolutely what I needed today. Thank you!

    reply to this comment
  4. Katie

    July 29, 2014 at 4:36 pm

    My husband found me hiding in the closet trying to collect myself when he returned from a weekend away. Thanks for letting me know I am not the nobly one who thinks this mommy stuff is CRAZY hard!

    reply to this comment
    • Katie

      July 29, 2014 at 4:37 pm

      *only

      reply to this comment
  5. Alisha

    July 29, 2014 at 6:40 pm

    I just want to say I love you! I wish you had babies when I had babies. My babies are 18 and 13 now, and I still need Mommy time outs. I’m passing this along to my sister-in-law, who has two littles, ages 4 and 3.

    reply to this comment
  6. Leni

    July 29, 2014 at 9:51 pm

    I love the do-over idea! I have a 10 and 12 year old and still have mommy meltdown moments too. I will phone a friend (sometimes mom) from my parked car in the garage! Privacy, quiet and a place to sit! 🙂

    reply to this comment
  7. AnnMarie Silveira

    July 29, 2014 at 11:02 pm

    Thank you for this post! I really needed this…today was one of “those days.” ?

    reply to this comment
  8. Brandi Ash

    July 29, 2014 at 11:06 pm

    Oh what a blessing this post is! What a blessing you are! It seems like this past month has been a total rut of mommy meltdowns. We have a very sassy 3 year old who demands she helps with every. little. thing! An almost 2 year old who is well into her terrible two’s already. And did I mention I’m 7 months pregnant? I was hospitalized last week with a kidney stone (ouch!) And just found out I failed my glucose testing. It’s exhausting. I’ve been in such a bad mood lately that I feel like such a failure as a mom, wife, and woman of God. Until I read your post. I’m not alone… thank you God I’m not alone! Thank you for this post. It means so very much!

    reply to this comment
  9. Andrea Farmer

    July 29, 2014 at 11:41 pm

    Wow. I absolutely can relate to this post. I’ve been known to buckle my daughter in with goldfish in tow…klove blaring…& drive my way back to sanity lol.
    I honestly think we are kindred spirits. I’ve been hooked on your blog since the paci post. Paci moms Unite haha! And I’m totally gonna try the do-over!
    Great post Julie! God has blessed you with a gift of words! Keep on sister! ?

    reply to this comment
  10. Barb

    July 30, 2014 at 8:59 am

    Love all your tips. Hang in there mom. And also remember….This too shall pass…

    reply to this comment
  11. Veronica

    July 30, 2014 at 9:42 pm

    Laughed out loud a few times on this one… loved it… glad I’m not alone, thank you!

    reply to this comment
  12. Bobbi Reid

    July 31, 2014 at 12:39 am

    This is so what I needed today!

    reply to this comment
  13. Norman, Alicia (CHFS DCBS TLSR Graves)

    July 31, 2014 at 2:00 am

    I’m not sure if you wrote this or it was written about you but it has YOU all over it!!! Hope you have a good day!!!! ❤️

    Sent from my iPhone

    reply to this comment
  14. Bonnie

    July 31, 2014 at 9:56 pm

    So true. I love all your posts! And I love love love my kari jobe!!!! Thank you for the reminder that we are in this together!!

    reply to this comment
  15. worleyhouse

    August 5, 2014 at 1:43 am

    this is great Julie! I agree with getting dressed, sometimes that makes all the difference!

    reply to this comment
  16. Angela

    August 15, 2014 at 7:54 am

    I needed this yesterday too, but today is shaping up the same, so thank you! I love to listen to praise and worship and dance in the kitchen when I’m having one if those days. I also find that green smoothies are like a shot of sunshine in a glass. So I’ll down that and then do praise and worship. Thank you for the good laugh and beautiful reminder that Jesus is all we need in those moments.

    reply to this comment
  17. Breast Is Blessed

    May 10, 2015 at 8:07 pm

    I enjoyed this! I have many mommy meltdowns, unfortunately. I am an introvert and also need QUIET. The noise from the kids, even if I lock myself in a room, drives me bonkers. And I also have little ones, so I would hate to lock myself in a room and put ear plugs in or something and not hear if there was an emergency or siblings hurting each other, etc. Any suggestions on getting that quiet time in without having to worry about the safety of the kids?

    reply to this comment

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Hey there! My name is Julie, the Happy Home Fairy. I am married to a Worship Pastor, we have 3 boys, and I am a Preschool Director. I love sharing easy, fun ideas to help moms build a happy home! Here you will find simple crafts, FREE Printables, yummy recipes, stories about my journey to trust Jesus with my family, and encouragement for your mama's heart. You can read more about me HERE!

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