Hey Momma… need some encouragement when the days get rough? These quotes for tired Moms can help!
There are days when motherhood is exhausting at best, and you’re hanging on by a string as thin as the spaghetti noodle your toddler just threw at the wall.
With the countless responsibilities that moms today face, it’s no wonder that many of us feel like tightly wound stress balls by bedtime.
I am a pretty go-with-the-flow type of person, but there are definitely times when I feel overwhelmed, and things are just getting to be too much.
And you know what? It’s OK to feel that way! I’m sure even Mother Theresa lost her cool every once in a while!
While I think each person needs daily reminders that they’re fantastic, I feel this is especially true for mommas. We feel the constant tug to be everything to everyone and often neglect ourselves in the process.
That’s why I’ve gathered my favorite inspiring quotes for tired moms who just need a word of encouragement amidst chaos, toys, and vomiting toddlers.
Stick with me to the end for suggestions on how you can use these tired Mom quotes as parts of your daily self-care routine!
Quotes to Remind You That You’re a Good Mom
1. “You know you’re a mom when you understand why Mama Bear’s porridge was cold.” ~ Unknown
I can’t count how many times I’ve eaten standing up at the kitchen counter, all in an effort to consume a meal that was actually warm!
2. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. The mom in E.T. had an alien living in her house for days and didn’t notice.” ~ Unknown
This is one of those funny quotes for tired Moms that you may have seen floating around social media… If my children hid an alien in their bedroom closet (or under the bed), this would be me.
3. “Mama, don’t be so hard on yourself. No one is perfect. Somedays, you will get it right, and somedays, you won’t. But what counts is each day you show up and love them hard.” ~ @proudhappymama
When life gets “lifey,” take a moment to remind yourself of this. Your kids love that you love them, and that alone is perfection!
4. “Be strong enough to walk away from what’s hurting you, and be patient enough to wait for the blessings you deserve.” ~ @peacefulmindpeacefullife
If you have too many obligations, it’s totally okay to say “No” and walk away from those things for a while. You have to do what’s right for you in this season of life.
5. “You can be a good mom who pours love into your kids and still says, ‘I need a break.’” ~ Proud Happy Mama
Motherhood is the toughest gig out there. So when things are getting overwhelming, tag your spouse, the babysitter, or your mother-in-law in and go get yourself a well-deserved latté.
6. “To all mothers in every circumstance, including those who struggle, I say, ‘Be peaceful. Believe in God and yourself. You are doing better than you think you are.’” ~ Jeffrey R. Holland
As moms, we’re harder on ourselves than anyone else. It’s easy to get caught in the comparison trap, but remember that no one is perfect, and you’re doing an awesome job at this whole motherhood thing!
7. “In order to be that gentler, stronger, more resilient version of me, I must first stop, breathe, and learn how to simply be.” ~ Jai Gaurangi
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, it’s essential to carve out spaces for yourself each day where you can remind yourself of who you are – even if that means getting up a half hour before your children and just sitting in the quiet.
8. “Dear mom who feels like a failure: You are amazing. Bad things happen, but so do good things. Pick yourself up and remember, this is just a moment in a long journey.” ~ A Touch of Homeschooling.com
Don’t let the few frustrating moments in your day overshadow all the positive ones. I like to write down three things I’m thankful for each day to remind myself that even though one of the kids drew on the wall, it was still a good day.
9. “Behind every great child is a mom who’s pretty sure she’s screwing it all up.” ~ Unknown
This is probably one of my favorite quotes for tired Moms, because it’s SO relatable! Moms have probably been questioning their abilities since the dawn of time. You’re not alone!
10. “All your kids want is you. Not the fit mom, not the Pinterest mom, not the PTA mom, not every other mom you think you should be. All they want is you, so be the happiest you there ever was.” ~ Cat & Nat
Your children want a happy, healthy mom who loves them. All the rest of that other stuff is entirely secondary.
11. “Dear Mama, you are enough! Actually, you are probably overqualified, but let’s not brag.” ~ Unknown
You are so much more capable than you think you are in your overwhelmed moments. Just breathe, take a break if needed, and then get back in the game.
Tired Mom Quotes (When coffee’s not cutting it)
12. “A real mom: Emotional, yet the rock. Tired, but keeps going. Worried, but full of hope. Impatient, yet patient. Overwhelmed, but never quits. Amazing, even though doubted. Wonderful, even in the chaos. Lifechanger, every single day.” ~ Rachel Marie Martin (author of The Brave Art of Motherhood)
I’ve always compared motherhood to the Energizer Bunny – okay, some days we’re barely putting one foot in front of the other, but we never quit!
13. “Give me patience when little hands tug at me with ceaseless, small demands. Give me gentle words and smiling eyes, to keep my lips from hasty, sharp replies. Let not fatigue, confusion or noise obscure my vision of life’s fleeting joys, so when in years to come my house is still, beautiful memories its rooms may fill.” ~ Unknown
A perfect reminder for those days when you hear “Mom” roughly eleventy-million times…and it’s only noon.
14. “You don’t have to be perfect.” ~ Unknown
This is one of those quotes for tired moms that is so simple, yet so true! Someone once told me that every mom was perfectly chosen for her children, and I believe that!
15. “The love of a mother is never exhausted. It never changes – it never tires – it endures through all; in good repute, in bad repute. In the face of the world’s condemnation, a mother’s love still lives on.” ~ Washington Irving
Even if you’re exhausted, haven’t accomplished anything on your to-do list, and are now ordering takeout instead of cooking, your love is the only thing your kids need.
16. “There should be a special place in heaven for mothers who wake up tired every day and do it anyway.” ~ Unknown
Isn’t it amazing how many things you endure only to look back on them and wonder how you ever made it through? Momma, you’re awesome!
17. “The tiredness you feel today will wash away in the laughter of tomorrow.” ~ Jill Churchill
Don’t forget to laugh – it balances out the moments you scream into your pillow just to avoid losing your cool!
18. “Hey mama, I know you’re tired. But I hope under that exhaustion you feel some pride too. Because no matter how the past 24 hours went, you can fall into bed tonight knowing you made someone’s life a little better today – just by loving them like only you can.” ~ Casey Huff
Remember that no one else is better at loving your child than you are! At the end of the day, kids often remember the highlights, while moms usually stress over the low points.
19. “Tiredness is just something that is appearing; it’s not who you are.” – Nirmala
Hang in there, momma. Nap when you can, tag your partner when you need to, and remember that you WILL get a solid eight hours of sleep again in the not-too-distant future!
20. “Even a good mom has bad days, great days, normal days, overwhelming days, perfect days, trying days, supermom days, just being-a-mom days, a whole lot of love and real and crazy motherhood days.” ~ Rachel Marie Martin @ FindingJoy.net
Motherhood is a wild ride, and there are many days when I get to the end and am like, what was that train wreck? But it’s my train wreck, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
21. “An empty tank will take you exactly nowhere. Take time to refuel.” ~ Unknown
It is perfectly acceptable to take a Mommy Day at least once a month (or three times) to do whatever the heck you want, even if it’s just wandering around Hobby Lobby for three hours. You do you!
22. “Don’t tell a mother she looks tired; she already knows that. Tell her she’s doing a good job; she may not know that.” ~ Stephanie Peltier
This is an excellent reminder for everyone – you might want to make a poster of this quote and stick it up around your neighborhood, at the library, or on your husband’s side of the bathroom…
23. “Sleep is like a unicorn – it is rumored to exist, but I doubt I will see any.” ~ Dr. Seuss
Who knew you could look to Dr. Seuss for quotes for tired Moms?! Adding a little humor to your day is important, especially when you’re running on fumes. In fact, that may make this quote even funnier!
Quotes for Tired Moms to Help You Keep Your Cool
24. “When anxiety was great within me, (Lord) your consolation brought me joy.” ~ Psalms 94:19
So many moms struggle with stress and anxiety, and it can make motherhood so hard to cope with. So when you’re feeling anxious, take a deep breath and turn your worries over to God. He can handle it!
25. “Motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction.” ~ Elder Russel Ballard
It’s amazing how your day can go from horrible to wonderful all because your child gives you snuggles. Cherish those moments!
26. “Mama, it’s okay to:
- Ask for help
- To break down
- Not to be okay
You’re still a good mom” ~ Struggles of a Fit Mom
Motherhood does not equal sainthood (although it should sometimes). It’s okay not to be okay.
27. “You’re allowed to scream, you’re allowed to cry, but do not give up.” ~ Stress Free Mommies
You have ALL the permission to feel all the feelings, but don’t give up. These seasons of life are just that – seasons. And someday, you’ll look back on them and wonder how they went by so quickly.
28. “When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot and hang on.” ~Thomas Jefferson
This might be one of my favorite quotes for tired moms because it is so accurate when applied to motherhood. None of us really knows what we’re doing, and most days, you just have to hang on until bedtime.
29. “‘I lose my temper, but it’s all over in a minute,’ said the student. ‘So is the hydrogen bomb,’ I replied. ‘But think of the damage it produces!’” ~ George Sweeting
Did your child write the entire alphabet on their bedroom wall with a permanent marker? Yes. Can it be fixed? Also yes. Should you take a minute (or five) to calm down before addressing the problem? I think it’s probably a wise decision.
30. “When angry, count to ten before you speak. If very angry, count to one hundred.” ~ Thomas Jefferson
On some days, you may have to count to five hundred, but the same rule applies. You have permission to get frustrated, but also give yourself permission to step away from the situation until you can handle those emotions.
31. “If you are patient in one moment of anger, you will escape a hundred days of sorrow.” ~ Chinese proverb
Our children are always looking at us to learn how to behave, especially in stressful situations. No one is perfect, but try and take a few deep breaths before responding in anger.
32. “Anger always comes from frustrated expectations.” ~ Elliott Larson
This quote makes me question the root cause of my frustration and anger regarding my kids. And I find that I’m mostly upset because they acted differently than I expected/wanted them to.
33. “ When we exchange angry words for angry words, nasty face for nasty face, slamming door for slamming door, and tear them down with our words because they tore us down with theirs, they will never feel remorse for their own actions. We have hijacked that teachable moment.” ~ Wendy Speake
Although sticking your tongue out at your tween because they did the same to you might feel justified at the moment, it’s probably not the best route in the long run.
34. “Now is not forever.” ~ Unknown
“Now” comes and goes in an instant, and this can be a helpful reminder when your toddler is throwing a tantrum in the grocery store.
35. “Your most valuable parenting skill is learning to manage yourself first.” ~ Dr. Laura Markham
Remember that you don’t suddenly become a different person once you become a parent. Prioritize yourself and determine what tools you need to be the best parent possible for your child.
Encouraging Quotes for Working Moms
Working Moms need ALL of the encouragement, because often times, they have two full time jobs! Here are some awesome quotes for tired moms that are literally doing it ALL:
36. “Get rid of the guilt. When you’re at one place, don’t feel bad that you’re not at work; when you’re at work, don’t feel bad that you’re not at home.” ~ Katie Couric
It doesn’t do anyone any good to be in two places at once, and you’ll be a better mom when you can learn how to leave work at the office/classroom/wherever your job takes you.
37. “Let’s prove to ourselves that the judgment of others does not define us, that we are strong, brave, capable women who can do whatever the heck we set our minds to! Let us also remind each other when we forget.” ~ Julie Maida
Being a working mom is one of the toughest gigs out there, and so many people can make you feel guilty for not doing X, Y, or Z. Focus on what makes you happy and fulfilled, and leave the rest.
38. “A happy mother is a good mother, and if work makes you hum, your whole family sings along.” ~ Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober
Gone are the days when women had to choose either a family or a career. When you’re happy, everyone else is!
39. “There is something really empowering about saying, “I can do it all!” That’s the wonderful thing about mothers. You can because you must, so you just do.” ~ Kate Winslet
On any given day, you’re juggling several different roles and feel like you’re tasked with doing it all. Just remember that you can get through it, and asking for help is also OK.
40. “For all working mothers it’s important to remember that we don’t get to be with our kids all the time, but it’s also important for them to see us as leaders and there is value in that.” ~ Olivia Wilde
I genuinely believe that it’s empowering for children to see both parents living their lives with purpose. If this means that you have a job outside the home, there’s incredible value in that.
41. “Start by doing what’s necessary, then do what’s possible, and suddenly you’re doing the impossible.” ~ St. Francis of Assisi
There will be days when it seems impossible to do everything for everyone. Do what you can, and the rest will fall into place. For everything else, there’s takeout!
42. “There is no way to be a perfect mother, and a million ways to be a good one.” ~ Jill Churchill
Everyone’s idea of perfection is different, so don’t compare yourself to anyone else. YOU are exactly what your child needs to be content.
43. “The fastest way to break the cycle of perfectionism and become a fearless mother is to give up the idea of doing it perfectly – indeed to embrace uncertainty and imperfection.” ~ Ariana Huffington
I often describe myself as a recovering perfectionist, and maybe you are as well. It’s challenging to become comfortable with the idea of making mistakes. Most of the time, your kids won’t remind you of them because they won’t even know you made any.
44. “Successful mothers are not the ones that have never struggled. They are the ones that never give up, despite the struggles.” ~ Sharon Jaynes
The key to success is consistency. So whether you face the day in a suit or your jammies, the most important thing is being there.
45. “Stay at home Moms feel guilty because they think they’re not doing enough. Working Moms feel guilty because they think they’re not doing enough. Let go of the guilt. You are enough.” ~ The Savvy Sparrow
This is one of the quotes for tired Moms that comes from my own website. I realized that whether I was a full-time stay at home Mom or I was working 40 hours per week, I still felt mom guilt (and I was still super tired either way!).
You can read all about my tips for getting over that guilt here: Stay at Home Mom Guilt: To the Woman Who Does it All, But Still Feels Like She’s Not Doing Enough
46. “The attitude you have as a parent is what your kids will learn from more than what you tell them. They don’t remember what you try to teach them. They remember what you are.” ~ Jim Henson
As some famous person once said, “Talk is cheap.” It’s what we do that matters.
47. “For me, being a mother made me a better professional, because coming home every night to my girls reminded me what I was working for. And being a professional made me a better mother, because by pursuing my dreams, I was modeling for my girls how to pursue them.” ~ Michelle Obama
If your child sees you living your dream and purpose for this life, it will encourage them to do the same.
48. “You are not a bad mom because you go to work each day. Similarly, you are not a failure because you left your career altogether. Choices regarding work and family are personal – there is no one-size-fits-all method. Anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong.” ~ Candace Alnaji, attorney and founder of The Mom at Law
No one but you can decide what you need during each season of motherhood, and this looks different for everyone. Do what’s best for you and your family, and ignore anyone trying to push unwanted mommy guilt your way.
49. “I think every working mom probably feels the same thing: You go through big chunks of time where you’re just thinking, ‘This is impossible – oh, this impossible.’ And then you just keep going, and you sort of do the impossible.” ~ Tina Fey, actress, comedian, writer, and producer
Oh, Tina – you’re a wise, wise woman.
50. “When I first became a mother I suffered from serious ‘half-ass’ shame. I felt like I was mediocre at everything. I felt so stretched and so distracted (and exhausted). I said yes way too often in an effort to prove that I could do it all. I’ve worked so hard over the past decade to move from ‘What will people think’ to ‘I am enough.’” ~ Brené Brown, author and research professor
Don’t we all feel this way from time to time? Remember – you are exactly enough for anyone who matters in your life!
51. “Working mothers’ laughter comes hardest when our double life is revealed for what it is: a juggling act in which the balls can drop at any time, invariably on our own head.” ~ Allison Pearson
I’m not going to think about how many balls I’ve dropped even this week – it’s best to keep the past in the past!
Ideas for Using these Quotes for Tired Moms
I hope you’ve enjoyed reading through my favorite words of encouragement for mothers. I got inspired just by reading them over and responding to them!
So, now what? How can you keep the wave of inspiration and positivity going from day to day?
I’m so glad you asked! Here are a few ideas for how you can use these quotes for tired moms as part of your mommy self-care routine:
- Write each one of the quotes for tired Moms on a notecard and use them as affirmations
- Add one quote to your mom planner each week
- Put a post-it note with an inspiring mom quote on your bathroom mirror
- Text one of these tired Mom quotes to a fellow overwhelmed Momma every week
- Create wall art with your favorite tired mom quotes using Canva
- Set a reminder on your phone with a different quote each week
It’s incredible how a few simple words of encouragement can turn the tide of your day. These quotes serve as a reminder that there are millions of women out there doing their best to navigate this thing called motherhood, just like you are.
Do you have a favorite inspiring mom quote? Leave it in the comments!
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