Introduction:
Life often resembles a grand game of football, with its ups and downs, strategic plays, and a team that depends on its leader for guidance and direction. Just like a football team, professional moms raising tweens/teens with anxiety and depression are in a league of their own. They play the roles of head coach, special teams coach, and offensive and defensive coaches all rolled into one. While their dedication to their families is admirable, it’s essential to recognize how taking on multiple coaching roles can contribute significantly to burnout.
The Head Coach’s Role:
In the world of football, the head coach is a visionary leader who sets the team’s overall strategy and vision. Professional moms in this role are responsible for overseeing their family’s well-being, managing finances, making crucial decisions, and maintaining a harmonious home environment. They are the ones who set the tone for their family’s daily life and determine the direction in which their family will go.
The Special Teams Coach’s Role:
Special teams’ coaches in football focus on critical, high-impact situations during a game. Similarly, professional moms are often responsible for handling special situations within their families. They must address their children’s mental health challenges, manage their education, and handle medical appointments and therapies. This added layer of responsibility can be emotionally draining, as they constantly face unique challenges that require specialized care.
The Offensive and Defensive Coaches’ Roles:
The offensive and defensive coaches in football strategize to outperform their opponents and protect their own territory. In the world of professional moms, these roles translate into managing the daily grind of work and household responsibilities. Balancing work demands, parenting duties, and self-care while also safeguarding their family’s emotional well-being can feel like a constant juggling act.
The Burnout Factor:
The burnout professional moms experience can be likened to a head coach who never gets a break from their responsibilities, constantly on the field and in the locker room, managing every aspect of the game. When they take on the roles of special teams, offensive, and defensive coaches simultaneously, they leave little room for self-care and personal well-being.
Burnout is a real threat when professional moms dedicate all their energy to caring for their family while neglecting their own needs. This chronic stress can lead to physical and emotional exhaustion, feelings of overwhelm, and a loss of personal identity outside of motherhood.
Thriving Through Self-Care:
Just as a successful football team relies on a well-rested, focused head coach, professional moms must prioritize self-care to avoid burnout. Recognizing that they can’t be all things to all people all the time is the first step. Seeking support from their partner, friends, or a therapist can help distribute the coaching roles more evenly.
Time management and delegation are crucial strategies for maintaining balance. Setting boundaries and taking regular breaks to recharge will help professional moms regain their strength and stay resilient in the face of adversity.
Conclusion:
Professional moms raising tweens/teens with anxiety and depression are undoubtedly the head coaches of their families, taking on multiple coaching roles simultaneously. While their dedication is admirable, it’s essential to understand how this can lead to burnout. By recognizing the need for self-care, setting boundaries, and seeking support, these incredible women can continue to empower their families while also thriving in their own lives. Just like a football team’s head coach, they deserve time on the sideline to rest, recharge, and come back stronger than ever.