I wonder sometimes if there was something someone could have said to adequately prepare me for motherhood. I know the answer is a resounding no. Nothing can quite describe the mental, emotional, psychological and even physical exertion it takes to raise children. It’s a lot of “overs”: overwhelming, overstimulating, overextending. If you’re not careful, there are times when you actually feel like you just might be losing your mind.
One mother found herself having one of these moments as she rushed to get her daughter ready for school, only to realize it was Saturday. She shared her feelings about the misstep and motherhood in general on TikTok.
Lashae is sure she doesn’t want more children.
Lashae Tanimawo is a stay-at-home mom of four. Recently, she shared a video of herself facing the camera, with a bonnet on her head. The text over the video reads: “I feel all over the place; mom of 4 and don’t want no more.” She began with a question: “Y’all why am I up on Saturday morning with [my daughter] dressed to go to school?”
@lashae_mom4l I’m obviously at my mental capacity this is sad!
♬ original sound – lashae_mom4l
Lashae’s husband didn’t stop her from leaving the house.
The question led Lashae into a discussion about the state of her life at the moment. “Ever since having four kids, the overstimulation has been real, the frustration has been real, the anger has been real,” she said as tears start flowing. “I woke up with a headache not even knowing the day of the d— week.”
What made the situation even worse is that Lashae’s husband was in the house and he didn’t stop her from overexerting herself for nothing. Lashae said she’s all over the place. And yet, people still ask her why she’s done having children. “Y’all I swear to God, I’ve reached my mental state of overstimulation,” Lashae said holding her hand well above her head.
Lashae wondered if this was a result of postpartum depression.
“I can’t handle no more,” she continued. Lashae wondered if this feeling of overwhelm was a result of PPD. “I thought I was making my way out of that,” she lamented. Like Lashae herself, the comments were all over the place.
A few people asked why she had so many children in the first place. Some tried to make light of a very real situation, asking how long she stood outside or telling her to go in the house. Others had questions about that husband.
“Why would he allow you to get up out of the bed and do the same to her and not say NOTHING???” someone questioned.
Some people offered good advice.
Other TikTokers offered advice. “You need to take a day to yourself to regroup,” one woman wrote. Another suggested that it was dad’s turn to tap in, while Lashae checked herself into a hotel without her phone.
Thankfully, there were others moms who offered empathy and encouragement. “As a mommy of 5, I feel your frustration,” another mom wrote. “Regardless of how many kids you didn’t plan to have – seasons come and seasons go. One week you feel like a champ and the next over capacity. Hang in there.”
