Moms Are Stronger Together

By: Martha Jackson

For moms in the neighborhood with children in school, May is basically December without the wrapping paper — AP exams, class parties, banquets, sports, graduations — it’s one long exhausting sprint to the finish line. 

Confession time: I hit full-blown burnout back in March. While the rest of my family was off relaxing for spring break, I stayed behind to “get ahead on work.” Spoiler alert, I didn’t. Instead, I just created more work and got further behind. 

I used to think working from home would be a dream — flexibility, comfort, no commute. But instead of balance, I felt buried. The line between “home” and “work” vanished, and suddenly I was always on, always behind, always distracted. My days blurred into emails, leaf blowers, laundry, and guilt.

The turning point came when I finally said yes to meeting up with my good friend Christie. We took a fitness class that felt more like survival training than a workout. Afterward, she invited me to grab coffee. My first instinct was to decline. 

I had a mountain of work calling. But something in me said, “Go.” And I’m so glad I did. Those two hours — perspiration, caffeination, and conversation — snapped me out of my burnout spiral.

I realized just how much I’d been depriving myself by constantly working and not carving out time for myself. I left feeling lighter, calmer, and with a very clear takeaway: Moms have to take care of themselves. Because if we don’t, who will?

Since then, I’m being more intentional with my time, protecting my peace, and reconnecting with the people who bring joy to my life. Rest isn’t something I squeeze in anymore — it’s something I schedule and fiercely protect.

Burnout creeps in when we’re too busy holding everything together to realize we’re falling apart. Moms power through, always putting others first. But no one’s coming to remind us to slow down — we have to choose ourselves.

We’ve almost made it through another school year — exhausted but still standing. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that moms are stronger together. A quick coffee, a carpool chat, a “we’ve got this” smile in the chaos — it all matters. 

Summer’s coming, friends. Let’s finish strong and keep lifting each other up.

Martha Jackson, host of The Bubble Lounge Podcast, has lived in University Park for 20 years. She’s passionate about connecting with fellow moms, supporting local businesses, and finding humor in the chaos.