Battling Burnout :: Adding “Foster Mom” to My Resume

Battling Burnout :: Adding “Foster Mom” to My Resume

In March of this year, my husband and I became certified foster parents. This came after 8 weeks of classes, multiple home studies and about 500 questions from our closest friends and family about if we felt like this would be too much to add to our plates. Since I’m new here, a little background info: my husband and I both work full time jobs, we have a 14 year old daughter who cheers for her school and a 5 year old son who does jiu jitsu twice per week and, currently, plays tee ball.

A new baby in the mix.

In mid March, we got paired with our first long term foster placement. As a mom, caring for a baby comes back to me like muscle memory but it’s still a bit of a shock to the system. Overnight, we were brought back to daycare germs, broken sleep, and learning to meet the needs of a little person who has no clue who we are. Now, after having him for 2 months he fits in like he’s been here from day one! Most days I forget that I didn’t birth this little guy myself. He fits our family like he was our missing puzzle piece.

Being a WORKING foster mom.

When going through all of the certification classes and speaking with other people who have fostered in the past, you’re warned about the first few weeks being so rough. Within the first 2 weeks you have court, doctors appointments, weekly visitation, figuring out childcare…..all while still working your full-time job and continuing being the same, consistent mom to your biological children. And now I see why when you look at the families who foster, a lot of the moms are SAHM’s. It’s exhausting, honestly. I’ve been blessed to work for a company with a crazy amount of flexibility and I work from home so that helps tremendously. But what does mom do when she’s just worn out?!? The balancing act of work and home life has never felt quite this exhausting for me.

So I’ve found a couple of ways to bring myself some balance when I’m feeling the burnout coming on.

Finding my zen.

My number one thing to do when I’m reaching my limit is a monthly solo date. Y’all wouldn’t imagine the amount of times people, specifically women, tell me “omg I’d love to do a solo date but I’m too nervous to go sit anywhere alone.” Sis, do it!!!! We do the family dinner outings, we go out for appetizers and drinks with friends, but you don’t know true peace until you go to your favorite restaurant, request a table tucked away in a corner, and PEACEFULLY order whatever you want! When’s the last time you sat down with your plate and ate it fresh, hot, and without a side of everyone else’s fingers digging through it????? Yeah, go on the solo date. You won’t regret it in the slightest bit.

Besides the solo dates I like to do your typical luxury items like getting my nails done, getting the occasional massage, possibly going to the movies. But honestly, any way I can get some quiet time is my favorite way to recharge. So, if you’re a mom like me……overstimulated, under rested, spread thin……you aren’t alone. Being a mom and wife in the “normal” sense of life is already taxing. But when we open our hearts to love on children who need that extra support, it can be just as tiring as it is rewarding. So reward yourself, mama. You deserve it. After all, you can’t be the best mom to them, if you aren’t refilling your own cup to keep yourself happy and healthy.