Did you know that, on average, moms feel like they’re being a “bad mom” about 156 times a year? The number may be surprising, but it proves just how tough raising kids can be.
But knowing that other moms feel the same way can help when you’re overwhelmed. Thankfully, supportive online communities like Moms United are there to remind you that you’re not alone.
With over 5 million followers, this Facebook page captures all the chaotic ups and downs of parenthood with funny mom memes. So, whether you just want to feel understood or need a good laugh to get through the day, take a moment to enjoy some of the best posts that we’ve handpicked for you below.
This post may include affiliate links.
Raising children has never been considered an easy feat, but recent studies show that most parents believe it’s harder now than it was 20 years ago. Mothers, in particular, feel this way more than fathers, as they often shoulder most of the childcare responsibilities, even while working.
Many moms with kids under 18 also say they need more opportunities for self-care (69%) and more help with parenting from family and friends (54%). In comparison, fewer fathers feel the same, with 57% and 39% respectively.
Given these circumstances, it’s not surprising that half of women report feeling burned out by motherhood. About the same number are seeking therapy to cope with the mental health challenges they face while caring for their families.
“I think for a lot of moms, there’s a lot of mom guilt. It’s almost like you can’t win. If you work, you’re a bad mom. If you don’t work, you’re a bad mom,” says Dr. Erika Kelley, a clinical psychologist at University Hospitals. She believes mothers need stronger support systems to help them lighten their burdens.
true but sad, when I see the husbands of some friends, I tell myself that they would have much less work without them, they create more problems than they solve
Licensed marriage and family therapist Gayane Aramyan points out that mothers perform a lot of daily labor that often goes unnoticed. This is known as the “mental load” and refers to all the emotional and mental tasks that women perform: planning, creating systems, anticipating needs, and maintaining relationships both inside and outside the family.
This includes things like organising meals, keeping track of household supplies, scheduling medical appointments, and managing the entire family’s emotions. Even though dads are more involved than ever, moms are still the ones doing most of this work.
“Each mom’s experience with women’s mental load is different. Working moms may struggle differently than stay-at-home moms, and moms of younger children have challenges that are separate from those of moms with older children,” writes Aramyan.
But whatever your situation, if you take on more than you can handle, it can lead to mental health issues like anxiety or depression, as well as physical problems like muscle tension and poor sleep. There’s also a chance of developing feelings of resentment toward your partner.
“Unfortunately, there is no straightforward way to reduce your mental load—that would be nice, right?” says Aramyan. “However, there are plenty of strategies you can try to get started”. She advises beginning with communication with your partner to divide tasks. “You deserve support from them, and they deserve to know how much planning, effort, and time you put into your shared lives and family”.
Actually, instead of posting to Instagram, X-creta, TikTok etc. this is a pretty good idea. Leave the posting of the kid's life to the kid.
It’s important not to take on the full responsibility of deciding how to share your household tasks—it only adds more to your plate. You should work on this together. Aramyan suggests approaching it playfully so it doesn’t feel like a chore. There are many tools you could use to figure it out, like games such as the Fair Play Deck. “[It’s] a card deck that includes all the main tasks that couples and families typically have. At the very least, this can give you both a starting point.”
Which thongs? The ones under your dress/trousers or the ones on your feet?
tell me you're Australian without telling me you're Australian ^^ I'm pretty sure they mean the underwear ;)
Load More Replies...Cannot for the life of me understand how in the world anyone finds them comfortable. Who tf enjoys walking around with a permanent wedgie?!
Exactly, having a wedgie when I grew up was so not a flex.
Load More Replies...I hated thong/g-string underwear when I was younger, couldn't get used to it, then one day something just flipped and now I genuinely find them more comfortable. The only explanation I have is: I got fat *shrugs*
Once you get used to the constant wedgie, you don't have to worry about fixing an occasional one.
Load More Replies...Thongs are waaaaayyy more comfortable than regular underwear. I've never had a problem with them staying in place, and have never had a wedgie from a thong. On a side note, my mom was absolutely scandalized that I wore thongs when I was pregnant with my first born, 34 years ago. 🙄
I started wearing them when I figure skated because otherwise you'd have visible panty line, or them just hanging out the bottom. I find them way more comfortable as well. :)
Load More Replies...THIS! Jumpin' jesus but who invented those abominations?? How gives a flyin' rat's *ss if someone sees you have panties on?? What did they think you would wear under your clothes?!
A "good" one will feel like you're wearing nothing at all... nothing at all🤣🤣🤣
aka "a**l floss". Overrated and unless you are a nazi about wiping, nassty as hell.
The most uncomfortable underwear in the universe! Like an eternal wedgy...
Ahhh. Tiny butt syndrome. Us junk in the trunks don't find lines across the a*s comfy, believe it or not.
Once you do that, you should find a way to organize all your tasks effectively. “It’s one thing to say who will do what, but it’s another thing entirely to have a system,” says the therapist. Keeping track of everything that’s going on creates a sense of accountability for both partners.
This may seem obvious, but if your children are old enough, don’t shy away from involving them in household chores. They might even feel empowered to help you. “Having responsibilities around the house can help them build confidence and independence.”
And of course, balancing your family and life becomes easier when you allow yourself some time for self-care. “Carving out this time in your family’s calendar or organization system is a good way to prioritize it,” Aramyan advises. “It doesn’t have to be anything fancy—it can be as simple as a warm shower before bed or taking a few minutes with a hot coffee and a good book early in the morning before everyone else wakes up.”
We trust that seeing today’s relatable memes gave you a chance to laugh and lighten your own mental load. However, truly thriving as a mom means having support from your partner and family in real life, and we hope you find that too.
Motherhood makes you understand why some animals eat their young.
Started strong with an actual meme and I had a glimmer of hope. Then came the tweets.
My son taught himself factors in maths, can convert any given time into minutes but yesterday at bed time decided he had to put his fingers up my nose. Earlier he said “school was irritating and he was going to the village to quaff some drinks”
I don't know if you're into this, but your son's verbiage is very interesting ,,, & sounds like something that someone from another era might say....
Load More Replies...Started strong with an actual meme and I had a glimmer of hope. Then came the tweets.
My son taught himself factors in maths, can convert any given time into minutes but yesterday at bed time decided he had to put his fingers up my nose. Earlier he said “school was irritating and he was going to the village to quaff some drinks”
I don't know if you're into this, but your son's verbiage is very interesting ,,, & sounds like something that someone from another era might say....
Load More Replies...