Mom Anxiety at Night: Racing Thoughts and Overwhelm After Dark

Have you ever found yourself spiraling with worry in the middle of the night? You’re not alone. In this vulnerable conversation, we talk about motherhood anxiety, the mental load of moms, and the fears that keep us awake long after our kids are asleep. Hot dogs for dinner (AGAIN), and summer mom chronicles. We discuss the challenges of transitioning to summer with school-aged children and the struggles of early motherhood, particularly around sleep deprivation and nighttime parenting.• Children often struggle with unstructured time after the highly stimulated school environment• The transition to summer routines typically takes about two weeks as kids and parents adjust• Many children develop high expectations for constant entertainment and struggle with "boring" days at home• Nervous system co-regulation between parent and child evolves as children grow• Parents can experience both comfort and anxiety from physical proximity with their children, particularly at bedtime• Nighttime parenting often brings feelings of dread, especially for mothers of infants• Many mothers fantasize about escape scenarios when overwhelmed by sleep deprivation• The endurance test of early motherhood feels particularly difficult because there's no clear end point• When we feel like we can't go on, we have to either surrender to the process or maintain hope that things will improve soon• Most mothers experience a gradual shift toward easier days, though the timeline varies for each familyIf you enjoyed this episode, please share it with other mamas, subscribe to our podcast and leave us a review. Remember, when you're feeling alone, you still belong.Support the showKirsten's Physical Therapy websiteThe Nuture CollectiveMama You Belong InstagramKirsten's Instagram Molly's InstagramMolly’s music Sister Veery on bandcampMolly’s music website