Brittany Bown: Why some days it’s perfectly OK not to be the superhero

Some days I find myself writing about my wellness wins. Today, however, is not one of those days.

Today, we’re diving into the trenches of motherhood, where overstimulation reigns supreme.

This week I’ve been in struggle town. Let me paint you a picture.

Imagine me, a perpetually multitasking mumma, running on the fumes of sleep deprivation, with a mental to-do list longer than my toddler’s attention span. My 16-month-old is basically a tiny tornado of curiosity, strength and boundless energy.

Don’t get me wrong; I adore his zest for life, and I wouldn’t change him for the world. But some days, I’m convinced he’s training for a toddler triathlon, and I’m just trying to keep up!

And let’s not forget the newbie.

My baby is rapidly growing out of the “sleep all day” phase and wanting to be part of the action. It’s like a never-ending relay race from one babe to the next.

By the time they’re both napping — if I can time things that perfectly — cue the internal debate: should I meal prep? Try to nap? Tackle Mount Laundry? Exercise? It’s a wild ride.

Now, don’t misunderstand me: I am incredibly blessed and live, for the most part, in a state of gratitude.

But this week I was yearning for silence. Not the cheerful chirping of The Wiggles or the snorts of Peppa Pig — actual, blissful silence in a clean, tidy home. So here is just how I achieved that . . .

Kidding — I’m not a magician and kids don’t have a pause button. But I did hatch a plan! After I cried and sat in the dark for 20 minutes while Nic took the kids for a drive.

First, I had to address the elephant in the room: this is not my tidy era.

My toddler’s idea of fun involves emptying drawers, redistributing the outdoor sandpit contents indoors, and staging food-flinging festivals. And with two diaper-wearing kiddos? Let’s just say, I don’t love my home’s new signature scent.

Perfection? Not on the menu. Acceptance? That’s the ticket.

So, step one was to stop. Breathe. Acknowledge the chaos. Embrace the mess. Perfection is overrated, and a little discomfort is par for the parenting course. Easier said than done I know!

Step two? Gratitude. My babies are my world. Their laughter, their hugs, their ability to turn my bad days around with a single smile — I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Even the chaos. I remind myself of this regularly.

Now, onto my game plan for taming the overstimulation that is currently overwhelming me:

1. Reality Check. No one has it all together, especially not parents of babies and toddlers. Mismatched outfits? Check. Pasta for dinner again? Yep. Laundry mountain? You bet. And that’s okay!

2. Choose Calm. When I do manage some “me time”, I’m opting for non-stimulating activities. Reading over TV-watching, nature walks over Netflix, and engaging hobbies and activities over social drinking.

3. Nature’s Playground. Picnics, nature walks, playground adventures — less stuff, more nature. Toys are great, but nothing beats the simplicity of leaves, sticks and fresh air. Plus, fewer toys mean less mess. It’s a win-win.

4. Divide and Conquer. Shout-out to TikTok for this advice — divide and conquer. When the dual demands of my dynamic duo become overwhelming, it’s time to call in reinforcements. I tag team with Nic, where each of us takes one kiddo at a time. This reduces stimulation and, well, just makes things manageable.

So, there you have it — my candid confessions and coping strategies for navigating the wild world of motherhood while battling overstimulation.

Because let’s face it, some days you’re the superhero, and some days you’re just trying to keep the tiny tornadoes at bay. And that’s perfectly okay.

This week I’m . . .

I have just started reading an amazing book called Soul Care by Dr Rob Reimer.

Taking Ezzy to see the dinosaurs at Jurassic Kingdom.