For years, I lived in a constant cycle of burnout and shame.
I agonized over my paralysis—the inability to do anything I once could. In my head, I could picture myself enjoying life, but in reality, the thought of actually putting in the effort was overwhelming and exhausting.
The best way I can explain it: my brain was like a car engine roaring and burning in place but going nowhere. My body—the vehicle—was left stuck and stagnant.
The Silent Weight of Mom Burnout
As a Christian mom, I felt like I should have it all together. I had flexibility, plenty of “rest” time in my schedule, and yet nothing I did felt like rest. Instead, I carried the heavy weight of:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- The grief of losing my son
- Childhood trauma that still ripples into my adult life
- Homeschooling four lively girls
- A messy house I couldn’t keep up with
- Hashimoto’s thyroiditis
- Obesity
I could go on.
Every time I tried to tackle even one thing, I was drained within minutes. That depletion sent me into the same spiral: shame, guilt, regret, resentment, overwhelm, hopelessness.
My motivation might last a day or a week, then burn out. My family grew disappointed, and I felt ashamed, defeated, hopeless, and numb.
When Burnout Shows Up in Motherhood
The hardest part was hearing it from my children:
- “Why don’t you come to things?”
- “It’s like you don’t like me.”
- “Do you hate us?”
Those words broke me. Inside, I knew how deeply I loved them. My kids are the smartest, funniest, kindest, wittiest humans I know. But my burnout as a mom made me absent, stuck in a cycle I couldn’t break.
Therapy helped me name it as burnout, but I couldn’t reconcile that. How could I be burned out when my life had so much built-in flexibility?
That’s when I pursued something I’d suspected for years: ADHD.
Discovering ADHD as a Christian Mom
I found a provider who listened and ran an evaluation.
Sure enough: combined-type ADHD.
Finally, an explanation. Finally, something new to try.
Though I lean toward natural options, I decided to try ADHD medication to give myself a chance at stability. And since that day—things have not been the same.
For the first time in years, I’ve had the energy to say yes to my kids instead of no.
Instead of hearing, “Why aren’t you coming?” I now hear, “Why are you finally coming?”
I’m living again.
Faith, ADHD, and Motherhood
This hasn’t just transformed my parenting—it’s reshaped my faith as a Christian mom with ADHD.
For years, I prayed for God to help me, heal me, show me what to change. I carried shame, condemnation, and the feeling that I was failing as a wife, mother, and believer. At times, I even felt abandoned by God.
But looking back, I can see that God was present all along. He led me to advocate for myself, to seek answers, and to accept that His common grace can come in many forms: therapy, community, and even ADHD medication.
This is His care for me as His daughter. This is grace at work.
What I Want Other Moms to Know
If you’re a mom feeling stuck, ashamed, or paralyzed by what feels “simple” for others but impossible for you, I want you to hear this:
- Your struggle doesn’t mean you’re lazy.
- Your struggle doesn’t mean you don’t love your family.
- Your struggle doesn’t mean God has abandoned you.
It means you’re human. And healing is possible—sometimes in unexpected ways.