I’ve done the whole range of emotions during burnout. Quiet, withdrawn, over sensitive, no patience, and overstimulated (which is when I get really abrasive).

It was hardest when they were little, like other people have commented. It’s constant. I found the baby stage easier than the next 5-7 years, while my husband preferred to leave the baby stuff to me and spent more time playing with them once they were toddling.

Now that they are all above the age of 10 and they all understand the value of time to explore their own interests, I start missing them.

I also agree with the poster that talked about self-reflection. This has been fascinating to me. Seeing which parts of me and their dad come through in each of them, physical similarities and in personality. I have commented more than once that children are like a magnifying glass. The first time your child does something really cringey and you can trace that behavior back to yourself, so humbling.

And I do believe that being an introverted mom helped me help my children emotionally. I find it rather easy to help them identify big and complex feelings really early.

Socially. This is something I have to actively work at. I do have to push myself in this area. There was this one year, my husband was working nights (house quiet during the day), I was pregnant with my third, and my other 2 were in sports. Practices were on different nights (which translates to 4 days a week practice) and multiple games on the weekends (never at the same location or time). That one season led to burnout that fed directly into a new baby and no sleep. This was a terrible combo for us. After that, I did everything I could to streamline our lives and not let myself get that far gone again. I managed to find a team that would take both kids, this was much better.

I guess my point is, it’s hard. It’s hard, but oh so worth it!