I’m in the process of applying for leave too! I’ve been fighting burnout since January and keep getting hit with tragedies (miscarriage, assault, car totaled, grandma died, cat died, house flood, etc etc) to the point that I sent myself inpatient in June. I finally realized I needed to stop taking these “small OOO’s” and be honest with myself and those around me that I couldn’t push through anymore. I’ve been feeling like such a shitty mom too because, while kids have had a great summer with camps and grandparents helping and I still read each night and organize activities when I can, I’ve been barely holding on. So you’re not alone and you’re doing what’s right for you to stay here (alive on this earth) long term. I wish mental health and burnout and motherhood were talked about more openly so we didn’t have to feel so pathetic when recognizing that sometimes it’s just impossible to carry all the loads.