‘Mom Whine Repeat’ is run by Anne, a mother of two boys, who created the Instagram page in 2018 to document her kids’ funny moments and the tough realities of raising a family. “What I didn’t expect,” she writes, now that the account has grown to 111k followers, “was to gain an amazing community of parents who lift each other up and support each other on this wonderful yet very challenging journey of parenthood.”

Anne’s honesty about her personal experiences is what resonates with her audience. She often shares stories about her youngest son, who has sensory processing disorder, sensory eating problems, speech delays, and fine motor deficits. “He pushes me to my limits daily and makes me rise up to be a stronger person than I ever thought possible,” she says.

Anne jokingly describes her oldest child, on the other hand, as a contender for the “World’s Best and Most Thorough Whiner” at a National Whine Conference. “He works hard every day and if we’re lucky, next year he’ll qualify for the World’s Messiest Kid as well. #blessed.”

“Motherhood is absolutely nothing like I was expecting,” she admits. “Things are the complete opposite of how I envisioned them! But damn if it isn’t the best thing that’s ever happened to me.” Despite the chaos and the loss of her once-organized life, Anne says she’s found a resilience and confidence she never could have imagined.

It’s no wonder so many parents are drawn to Anne’s Instagram page for connection and support. Studies show that over 65% of U.S. parents feel lonely in their parenting journey, with moms experiencing this isolation most acutely.

This isn’t surprising either, as moms often take on the majority of mental labor in caring for their families. In fact, 78% of women report putting their family’s health needs before their own, sometimes even prioritizing their pets over their personal issues.

In the whirlwind of tasks that moms handle to support their families, it’s clear they need more time for themselves. And health institutions agree, urging moms to pursue self-care to avoid burnout. However, Libby Ward, digital creator and author of The Honest Mom Journal, highlights that this is much easier said than done.

“Everywhere you turn on the internet, there’s someone telling you that you need to practice more self-care. ‘Take care of yourself,’ ‘Take some me time,’ ‘Prioritize you!’ ‘Take breaks!’” she writes. “Sure, it sounds like a great idea, but in the world of moms, it feels like a far-off dream. Practicing self-care, especially if you don’t have a support system, is beyond difficult.”

That said, Ward believes there are achievable ways for moms from different walks of life to take care of themselves, starting with a mindset shift. “We need to accept that while our children need our nurturing and care, so do we,” she says. “We are in charge of saying, ‘I deserve this,’ ‘I deserve rest,’ ‘I deserve to fuel my body,’ ‘I deserve to have energy,’ ‘I deserve to feel good,’ ‘I deserve to feel whole.’ If we don’t prioritize ourselves, who will?”

One self-care tip Ward suggests is creating a schedule for your family to follow and sticking to it. When you set clear expectations for your kids, it brings a sense of harmony and calm to your entire home. “We have enough time for getting ready in the morning, for mealtimes, for a bedtime routine, when we don’t feel like we’re constantly in a rush. Otherwise, one hour turns into the next and the next, and before we know it, the day is over and we haven’t had a moment to breathe.”

Part of establishing a routine includes setting early bedtimes for kids. This benefits not only the children but also the parents. “Knowing that by a certain time at night I would definitely have a few hours to myself was an important part of getting through each day—especially when they were little,” Ward shares. “The psychological benefits alone, of having that time to look forward to, make it worth the early bedtime.”

Simplifying meals can also free up valuable time. Ward believes that meals don’t have to be complicated or time-consuming to be nutritious and enjoyable. "Some of my kids’ favorite meals are baked beans on a baked potato or bacon and eggs,” she notes. “By allowing ourselves to do the simple, less than perfect meals, we can squeeze in more time for us—without the guilt.”

Ward also encourages moms to lower their expectations. “This can be applied to everything. How much you expect yourself to get done in a day. How presentable your kid looks walking out the door. How often you clean,” she writes. “You simply cannot do it all and by trying to, you will only stress yourself out.” By adopting the mantra “done is better than perfect,” you can create more opportunities for self-care and prioritize your well-being.

Lastly, Ward suggests setting aside some money for yourself from time to time. “Maybe it’s a fancy coffee on your errand run, a new outfit, or getting your nails done once in a while. You deserve to treat yourself and not feel bad about it.”

In the end, whatever form of self-care you choose to practice, no matter how big or small, will help you enjoy your life as a woman and as a mom. “Prioritizing yourself is being a good mom, and it’s modeling to your kids how they too should treat themselves. Remember, you can’t pour from an empty cup.”