You know how sometimes your kids have had a long day, with too short of a nap, maybe a little too much sugar, and one small thing like the air conditioner blowing a *little* too hard on their face makes them completely lose their mind? And our initial reaction is to get irritated and frustrated and tell them to calm down or relax or that they’re overreacting?
Well, if you’re anything like me, this happens often. I have a TON of patience for a ton of things, but the random outbursts that seem so ridiculous and uncalled for can make my head feel like it’s going to spin off of my body. I’m a pretty level-headed person and it takes a lot to get me upset, so it’s so hard for me to comprehend how someone can react so dramatically to something so seemingly silly.
That was until a few nights ago. My son had just gotten about 13 different toys for his birthday, and EVERY single one of them made noise. The TV was on in the living room, my kids were playing with all of the noisy toys at once, I was knee-deep in baby clothes and organizing baby shower gifts, and my husband walked in the room to ask me where something was. I JUST ABOUT LOST MY MIND. My skin was tingling, I felt like my head was going to explode, tears started to well in my eyes (I RARELY cry) and I was all of a sudden just mad at everyone. For no good reason.
I didn’t want to answer anymore questions. I didn’t want to hear anymore noise. I didn’t want to figure out where I was going to put another baby item. I didn’t want my cat rubbing up against my leg. The TV was too loud and obnoxious. I didn’t want my husband to need my help finding something.
All of these things sound ridiculous and uncalled for and dramatic….Just like my children sound when they are overstimulated.
That’s when I realized that mom overstimulation is real.
We answer questions ALL day long. We are touched ALL day long. We are doing things for other people ALL day long. The laundry always needs done. Dishes always need washed. The house is always dirty. Dogs always need fed. The people in your house need three meals a day which come with three sets of dishes needing washed. Backpacks and lunches need packed each day.
Your kids and husband and maybe even your animals are all obsessed with YOU and need you to help them be their best selves. And while that is the highest honor, sometimes it gets a little daunting and overstimulating and we need to take a deep breath, and calmly take a moment for ourselves to regroup. And that is OK.
So from now on when my kids are spiraling out of control, I will do my very best to remember that it’s out of their control, and they just need some space and maybe a hug, but most importantly someone who understands that they are simply overstimulated.
It’s me.
