5 Ways Exhausted Mums Can Protect Their Energy During the School Holidays Without Burning Out

Tracy The Health Coach
3 days ago
5 min read

"Mum... I'm hungry!"

It's 9:15am.

You've already emptied the dishwasher, answered three work emails, broken up two sibling arguments and you're wondering how there are already crumbs all over the kitchen floor.

You love your children.

But if you're honest...

Part of you was dreading the summer holidays.

Not because you don't want them around.

Because you're already exhausted.

The school holidays can feel like multiple full-time jobs.

Instead of school runs, you're now trying to:

Keep the children entertained.
Keep them off screens (without losing your sanity).
Find childcare around work.
Plan meals... and endless snacks.
Stay on top of the washing.
Keep everyone happy.
Somehow work on your own health.

Before they've even gone back to school, you find yourself counting down the days.

What if this summer could feel different?

Not perfect.

But calmer.

Healthier.

More enjoyable.

Here are 5 practical ways to help you get through the next six weeks without completely running on empty.

1. Where you are right now?

Many mums quietly accept feeling exhausted.

You tell yourself:

"I'll rest when the kids go back." "It's only six weeks." "Every mum feels like this."

But feeling permanently drained shouldn't become your normal.

How would you rate you health?

Find your health score by answering these. 1=Low 5= high

Tired most of the time 1 2 3 4 5

Overweight 1 2 3 4 5

Prone to hormonal symptoms 1 2 3 4 5

Dark circles / bags under your eyes 1 2 3 4 5

Suffering from poor concentration 1 2 3 4 5

Often feel anxious / stressed 1 2 3 4 5

Dry skin in need of daily moisturisers 1 2 3 4 5

Often constipated (rarely go once a day)1 2 3 4 5

Difficulty sleeping 1 2 3 4 5

Low or depressed 1 2 3 4 5

Prone to indigestion / bloating after food 1 2 3 4 5

What’s your score?

(Ideal score: 16 or less)

You can't change what you haven't first acknowledged. Now you know where you are.

Some reassurance: what came up for you is a very similar scenario for most exhausted mums.

2. Choose ONE thing that would make the biggest difference.

When mums finally decide to prioritise themselves, they often try to change everything.

Eat healthier.

Exercise.

Lose weight.

Sleep more.

Drink more water.

Meal prep.

Pray.

It's exhausting before you've even started.

Instead ask yourself:

What's the one change that would make everything else easier?

For one mum it might be sleep.

If she sleeps better, she has more energy to exercise.

If she has more energy, she's less likely to reach for biscuits at 4pm.

For another mum, it might be meal planning.

One hour on Sunday could remove six weeks of the daily question:

"Mum... what's for dinner?"

One change often becomes the tipping point for many others.

3. Plan the holidays—not just the children's activities.

Many families carefully plan days out.

Very few mums plan their own wellbeing.

Try planning things like:

When will you shop?
Which evenings will you cook extra so there's leftovers?
Which mornings are slower?
When will you work?
When will you rest?

Even better...

Hold a family meeting.

Ask each child to choose one meal they'd love that week.

Now everyone has ownership.

Arguments about dinner reduce.

Decision fatigue reduces.

And you're not carrying the mental load alone.

4. Make your environment work for you.

Imagine this...

You've had a stressful afternoon.

The children have been asking for snacks every 20 minutes.

You walk into the kitchen.

The biscuits are on the counter.

Half a packet of crisps is sitting open.

Someone left chocolate on the table.

You tell yourself:

"I just have no willpower."

Maybe it isn't willpower.

Maybe it's your environment.

Instead:

Keep treats out of sight.
Prepare a healthy snack before the afternoon energy slump.
Decide now: "I don't finish the children's leftovers anymore."

Tiny environmental changes often require less effort than relying on motivation.

5. Schedule your recharge before someone else fills your diary.

Here's something many mums forget.

Self-care isn't selfish.

It's maintenance.

Think about your phone.

You wouldn't expect it to last six weeks without charging it.

Yet many mums expect exactly that from themselves.

Commit to taking some for yourself every day i.e., make yourself a priority.

Your recharge doesn't need to be expensive.

It could be:

Reading for 5-15 minutes.
Sitting in the garden with a cup of tea.
Going for a walk before everyone wakes up.
Calling a friend.
Listening to worship music.
Having lunch without multitasking.

Small moments.

Big difference.

But what if motivation is the real problem?

Many people tell me:

"I just need more motivation."

Actually...

Motivation comes and goes.

Commitment is what keeps us moving.

Here's an example.

You decide you'll start going to bed by 10pm.

The children are finally asleep.

The house is quiet.

You deserve some time to yourself.

One episode on Netflix becomes three.

Midnight arrives.

The next morning you're exhausted again.

Rather than asking,

"How do I get more motivation?"

Ask,

"What would help me stay committed?"

Maybe that's setting an alarm to remind you to wind down.

Maybe it's asking your partner to keep you accountable.

Maybe it's leaving your phone downstairs.

Commitment creates momentum.

Momentum builds motivation.

Sometimes the problem isn't what you think it is.

Imagine trying to do your hair without a mirror.

There are parts of yourself you simply can't see.

Life can be like that.

Sometimes you've tried everything.

It's not because you're lazy.

Or weak.

Or lacking discipline.

You're simply missing something you can't yet see.

Perhaps you're trying to lose weight when poor sleep is driving your cravings.

Perhaps fibroids are leaving you exhausted.

Perhaps you're trying to exercise in a way you hate.

Perhaps you're waiting for motivation instead of creating systems that support you.

When you can see the real barrier, the next step becomes much clearer.

One final thought...

At the end of these six weeks...

Your children probably won't remember whether every day was perfectly planned.

They'll remember how you made them feel.

And they'll remember how you felt too.

Were you constantly stressed?

Or were you present enough to laugh with them?

The greatest gift you can give your family isn't a perfect summer.

It's a healthier, calmer version of you.

There’s nothing wrong with you not being able to take action on your own to make your own health a priority. People generally don’t. I’d love to help by supporting you to actually make the changes in your life. You know where I am. Email me by clicking here or book a complimentary call by clicking here, and let me know what you need to get started and find out how I can help you transform your health and your life, so you're not exhausted all the time.