Momming is Loud—Here’s How to Catch a Moment of Peace | Phelan Family Photographer
If you’ve been a mom for more than one week, then you know, it’s pretty loud in the magical land of motherhood.
The clatter of toys, the endless “MOM! MOMMY! MAMA!”, the baby crying while the toddler sings at full volume.
It’s a vibe. A very loud vibe.
And even when the house is quiet… your brain isn’t.
You’re still juggling the to-do list, making appointments, and wondering if you switched the laundry. Sigh, you didn’t.
The mental noise—the decisions, the needs, the never-ending multitasking—it all makes everything feel so much louder.
And when your brain is overloaded, the everyday sounds can feel like too much.
So if you’ve ever thought, “I just need a minute of peace and to be away from everyone,” you’re not alone. We’ve all been there.
And, guess what, you don’t have to wait until bedtime to find a little slice of peace.
Let’s talk about why motherhood feels so loud—and how to turn down the volume.
Remember Covid? That was fun, right? Everyone at home. All. The. Time.
I had 2 high schoolers trying to graduate (11th and 12th), a husband who was deemed non-essential, and 2 younger kids (8 and 9). I decided to homeschool the younger ones instead of the laptop learning that the public schools were pushing. I thought I was going to go crazy—Oh wait, we all were jumping on that train.
Anyway, when I was having a tough day, I’d head outside.
Even when it was raining, I’d stand outside for a few minutes to clear my head.
I began starting the day by sitting on my porch with a warm cup of coffee. My mornings started to have a positive vibe, and I felt ready to tackle the day.
I needed to find some sort of peace, and the outside gave that to me. There’s something so wonderful about watching the birds fly, the grass grow, and the clouds move slowly.
It was the only thing that helped keep me sane. And feel alive.
Mental Load = Mental Noise
Sometimes it can feel like your brain never stops.
Even when the kids are asleep, you’re mentally running through tomorrow’s agenda, wondering if you remembered to turn on the dishwasher, and trying to calculate if you drank enough water.
That’s the mental load—the invisible long list of responsibilities moms carry 24/7.
And it makes everything feel louder.
Fun Fact: Your brain isn’t built to juggle 400 things at once.
When it’s overloaded, it processes each sound—kids bickering, toys clattering, the dishwasher running, someone chewing—as urgent background noise.
That’s why your toddler’s request for a snack can feel just as overwhelming as a work deadline.
Your brain is on high alert, treating it all as “something to handle right now.”
So how can you turn down the volume?
Sometimes you can start with a brain dump—grab a piece of paper or use the Notes app and spill everything that’s circling in your head.
The grocery list
Making a pediatrician appointment
That birthday gift you still need to purchase
Seeing it written down tells your brain, “You don’t have to hold on to this anymore.”
Then, pick one thing to tackle first.
Not ten! One.
Even if you decide to tackle one item tomorrow, your brain will finally get a break.
Write down a list and tackle one thing! It’ll free up brain space.
My biggest brain killer is what to make for dinner every night.
I have a hard time just remembering that I am the one who’s supposed to make dinner. Ha! I blame it on “mom-brain”.
“Did I take out the chicken? No. Okay, make sure to take out the chicken after finishing “X”. What will go with the chicken? Why am I even making chicken? I hate chicken. And, do I have asparagus?“
For me, half the battle is just taking the meat out to thaw.
If I were a fancy chef and always had the ingredients and fresh meats, I’d be happy to cook every night. I would love an empty dishwasher, a clean kitchen, kids to be outside, music on, and a glass of wine in hand, too. Haha
Is that too much to ask? Probably. So, I never take out the chicken, and it’s cereal for dinner again, kids.
The one caveat to this is that my kids are adults and teens. If they were 2 and 5, it’d be a different story.
Do I overthink the whole process of simply making dinner? Yes. Always!
How to Deal with Sensory Overload
Do you ever feel like, if one more person touches you or asks for something, you’re going to scream?
That’s sensory overload.
It happens when your brain gets hit with too much. Too much noise, touch, movement, and even smell. It can make you feel irritable, anxious, or like you just want to hide under a blanket.
Here’s the thing: Babies and toddlers are walking sensory experiences.
They cling to your leg, they cry, and they spill juice on you while yelling.
As moms, we don’t really get a sensory break.
When your nervous system is constantly processing everything, even normal sounds (like your child humming or the TV playing in the background) can feel like way too much.
How to create a RESET:
Try a “two-minute escape”—step outside, close your eyes, and take deep breaths. The outside method is my go-to.
If you have little ones or a baby, plop them in the stroller and go for a short walk. Don’t worry about packing the diaper bag and filling snack cups. This walk is only to the end of the block. Plop and go!
If you can’t leave the room, turn your back to the noise and focus on something naturally calming (like applying your favorite hand lotion or taking a sip of ice water). This gives your brain a quick refresh so it can recalibrate.
Don’t be afraid to set sensory boundaries, either.
It’s okay to tell your kids, “Mommy needs one minute of quiet,” or “Soft touches only, please.” You could make a little game out of it. Every child is different, so find what works.
Record player for soft music
And if your house is always noisy?
Welp, just lean into it by playing soft classical music that’ll help “cancel out” the chaos. Your brain will register it as calming background noise instead of focusing on the 12 different sounds happening at once. (As I’m typing this, I’m in a quiet space, but I can feel and hear the chaos I’m describing). And, I’m sending a big virtual hug to you, right now!
You’re not bad at being a mom because noise overwhelms you.
Your brain is simply overloaded. The good news is these quick resets can help make a difference.
Don’t hate me, because this is going to sound horrible. The sound that gets under my skin is when my kids are playing video games LIVE with friends. They’re laughing and having fun, but being so loud that I cannot hear the TV, six feet in front of me.
The combination of screams, laughs, insults, yelling, etc., is just the worst.
Yes, I’m a bad mom for disliking the fun they’re having. I have an open floor plan house, TVs aren’t in the bedrooms, so I hear it all.
Our living room, dining area, game room, and family room are all connected by the absence of walls. So, I can’t hear what I’m watching or thinking because teenagers and adult kids are having fun, 3 rooms away. Insert crying emoji.
Yes, I’m aware that I’m sounding like a grumpy old troll right now.
My simple plan of attack when I have sensory overload is to cook something in the kitchen (not dinner, obviously), write on my laptop at the kitchen table with a podcast, or simply retreat to my own bedroom–where it’s quiet and serene.
4 Quick “Reset” Strategies for Overstimulated Moms
Sometimes, you don’t need a whole spa day—you just need a bubble bath without someone climbing on you.
When your nervous system is fried, a reset can be hard.
Here are 4 Tricks:
The Ice Trick: Sounds weird, stay with me though, it works.
Grab an ice cube and hold it in your hand for a few seconds. Your brain will immediately shift the focus from “chaos” to “what’s this freezing cold thing in my hand?!” It’s an instant reset button. Literally!
“Mom Needs a Timeout”: If you can step into a quiet room for just 60 seconds, do it.
Stand inside your closet and shut the door. Set a timer, close your eyes, and focus on slow, deep breaths.
Just one minute of intentional quietness can help reset your brain.
Shake It Out: Stress builds up physically.
Stand up and literally shake your hands, arms, feet, and legs for 15 seconds. It releases that pent-up tension.
Change Of Scenery: Walk to a different room, step outside, splash some cold water on your face—anything that tells your brain, “ Hey, we’re shifting gears now.”
Because you deserve to feel calm, even in the chaos.
As I said above, my go-to method is going outside. I feel a sense of calm in nature. That’s probably why I love camping so much. It’s my favorite type of vacation.
Find what works best for you. Experiment!
Some days will feel much longer than other days, so it’s good to have a few ideas saved in your back pocket.
Don’t ever feel guilty for wanting a break. Even five minutes of quiet can make you a better mom and give you the refresh that you need.
Being a mom is hard.
We’re all navigating our way through each day.
You’re not doing a bad job because the noise overwhelms you. You’re human. It’s normal. However, you can create tiny moments of calm—even within the chaos.
Need more ways to help navigate your motherhood journey? Click here to read about how to find mom friends.
If you’re looking for a stress-free newborn or motherhood session, click here to see my portfolio! Bonus: I will travel to your home to photograph your newborn. Sounds nice and easy, right? It is!
Thanks for hanging out today, and I hope reading Momming is Loud— Here’s How to Catch a Moment of Peace | Phelan Family Photographer has given you some simple ideas!
If you’re looking for a Family Photographer in Phelan, click here to see how Playful Family sessions go. I offer busy moms a stress-free photo session.
Toodles,
Annette
Have fun while getting family photos taken.
