Life in the mummy fast lane

So I know all about super mums; yes – there is such a thing. Have you not seen one? They really do exist, although they don’t have a cape or anything corny like that.You see, ordinary mothers know when to quit. But super mums just keep going, in fact, you can sense a robotic vibe around them. Whereas one kid seems to stress some women, the super mum can take on ten and still make you look like you are doing a lousy job!She will drop off her daughter at a play date, her older son at his reading tutor, and then get ready to haul her youngest son off to football practice. And that is not it – in between dropping kids here and there, she has other errands like visiting the dry cleaners, doing the laundry at home, cleaning the house until it sparkles, gardening, making sure everything is ready for when the kids get back from school and making dinner.Mothers these days are so over-scheduled that they have lost their ability to just be moms. Sure it’s great to be take care of your family but running around like a headless chicken has left even some of the most determined of mothers at the brink of psychiatric evaluation!Trying to be a super mum is a recipe for depression. Working mothers who try to do everything by themselves are more likely to become depressed than those who accept that they aren’t superhuman. Women are sold a story that they can do it all, and I guarantee some of them take on the challenge. Some working mums are so determined to prove their phenomenal nature that she can change a baby’s diaper while sending an email on her Blackberry! As a friend, suggesting house help will surely confirm the next invitation to their house that you won’t receive. With such schedules, do they even have time to eat? Most of them are too busy clinging to their sanity to be bothered about a growling stomach.There is nothing wrong with getting some help as long as that help doesn’t take over even the things you can clearly do yourself. Mental health does not only affect an individual but family and society too. The body might go with it for while, but like a robot whose cable has been disconnected, ‘Super Mum’ will shut down too. It’s best to get some help, at least for the harder things like laundry and cleaning the house. Do what you must, put down the phone from time to time, take a deep breath, sit on the couch and just RELAX!