Let me paint you a picture: it's 6:47 a.m., the baby's crying, someone's yelling about the wrong kind of yogurt, and I've already made 12 decisions—and that's before caffeine. Should I go in the nursery first or start the coffee? What's clean enough to wear for daycare drop-off? Is today library storytime or music class? Should I respond to that text from the pediatrician's office now, or later when I have "more brainpower"? (Spoiler: "later" never comes.) By 10 a.m., I was toast—and not the good, buttery kind.
I used to think being tired all the time was just part of mom life. But I realized something deeper was draining me: decision fatigue. It's that low-key, constant mental buzz that builds from having to make way too many tiny choices every single day. Research actually backs this up: the more decisions you make—especially under stress—the more your brain starts to short-circuit. You lose patience. You freeze up. You doubt every call you make. For me, it looked like snapping over a toddler sock meltdown or standing in a grocery aisle crying over what brand of applesauce to buy. Sound familiar?
You're not broken, and you're definitely not alone. The truth is, our modern parenting lives are set up to fry our brains. We're managing tiny humans, running households, working, caregiving, and trying to make emotionally intelligent choices at every turn. So I did what any mom would do: I started crowdsourcing hacks. I read the threads, texted my group chats, and started testing real-world strategies from real moms. These aren't fluffy tips—they're life preservers. Here are the seven that actually helped me clear the fog, reduce the noise, and reclaim a little mental space.
1. Embrace the Capsule Wardrobe—for You and Baby
Think of every morning like a game of mental Jenga. The more unnecessary decisions you make early on, the shakier you feel all day. So I created a capsule wardrobe—not just for me, but for my little one too.
My mom uniform? Three neutral tees, two go-to leggings, a hoodie, and sneakers that match everything. No decision needed. And for my toddler? Zip-up sleepers, soft joggers, and onesies that all match. No more "Does this go together?" or drawer explosions.
Bonus tip: Stick to a simple color palette so everything mixes and matches. Laundry days become faster, and you skip the drama of outfit negotiations with a two-year-old fashion critic.
2. Automate the Morning Routine
If your mornings feel like mini boot camps, you're not alone. But a little automation can take the edge off—and buy you a few precious minutes of peace.
Here's what helped:
- Pack backpacks and lunches the night before (even if you're WFH).
- Set out everyone's clothes—yes, even yours.
- Pre-load your coffee maker or keep a cold brew stocked.
- Create a short playlist that becomes your "morning hype" signal.
By creating a routine that runs itself, you're removing dozens of micro-decisions before your day even starts. That means fewer meltdowns and less yelling across rooms about where someone's left shoe is.
3. Put Meals on Literal Repeat
I used to scroll Pinterest for new recipes every Sunday like I had a private chef and a food styling team. That fantasy ended fast.
Real talk: a rotating meal plan is your new best friend.
Create a simple 2-week meal loop with 10–14 meals you can rotate. Your family will be fine. Toddlers thrive on routine. You'll be free from decision overload at the witching hour.
My sample week:
- Monday: tacos
- Tuesday: grilled cheese + tomato soup
- Wednesday: slow cooker chicken + rice
- Thursday: pasta night
- Friday: frozen pizza and salad (if we're feeling wild)
And yes—breakfast for dinner totally counts.
4. Decide Once: Create a "Default" for Recurring Choices
This is my favorite trick from Reddit: Decide once. That's it. That's the magic.
For every choice you make more than twice a month, pick a default and stick to it:
- Birthday gifts? Art kits + board books. Buy in bulk, wrap when needed.
- Dinner out? Same takeout spot every time. One order that works for everyone.
- Weekend activities? Nature walk or movie day. No debating every Saturday.
- Cleaning? Sunday at noon. Non-negotiable.
You'll save your brain from re-litigating the same low-stakes decisions and have more energy for the big stuff—like toddler tantrums and managing your own existential crisis.
5. Outsource Your Brain with Apps + Lists
The mental load is real, and unless your partner is a literal unicorn, you're carrying more than half of it. So write it all down. Get it out of your head and into systems.
What works:
- Todoist or AnyList for recurring reminders (trash day, vitamin refills, etc.)
- Google Keep or Apple Notes for "brain dumps" and running lists
- Instacart for grocery delivery—worth every cent
- Cozi for shared family calendars
Treat your phone like your second brain. The less you carry upstairs mentally, the more room you have for the things that actually matter.
6. Lower the Bar (Like, Way Lower)
This one's less a tip and more a permission slip. Lower. The. Bar.
Your house does not need to be magazine-ready. Your meals don't have to be organic from-scratch gourmet. Your kid will not suffer if you skip bathtime or give them screen time while you cry into your coffee.
Give yourself permission to do "good enough."
Because "perfect" is an energy vampire you do not need right now.
7. Make a "Burnout Day Plan" in Advance
You know those days when everything feels like too much? You're touched out, maxed out, and on the verge of tears over spilled milk (literally)?
Have a pre-made plan for those days. Make it now, when you're calm:
- PB&Js or cereal for dinner
- Movie marathon with the kids
- One trusted friend you can text
- A chocolate stash or favorite tea
- 7 p.m. bedtimes for everyone
Having a burnout plan means you don't have to make more decisions when you already feel like you're breaking. It's like giving your future self a life raft.
Real Talk to Close: You're Not Weak—You're Overloaded
The modern mom isn't just wiping noses and doing laundry. She's fielding text chains from daycare, managing calendars, coordinating pediatrician appointments, checking food labels, answering "why" questions 80 times a day, and still trying to remember her own name.
You're not lazy or scattered or dramatic. You're tired because you're constantly thinking. Constantly choosing. Constantly showing up.
These hacks won't fix everything—but they'll help you protect your most precious resource: your mind.
You deserve peace. You deserve ease. And you deserve support.
You're not alone in the fog, mama. And the fog can lift.
We got this. 💪🏽