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Dear Tired Mom, it’s OK To Say No

3 Minute Read

By Jordan Morgan

Mom sitting on floor with kids — Natalia Lebedinskaia/Shutterstock.com

If the global pandemic has taught me anything at all, I’ve learned it’s OK to say no. I do not have to justify to anyone my reasoning for saying no.

No is a complete sentence and an answer.

I used to let the overwhelming possibility of missing out on life keep me from saying no. Well, not anymore. Now that I have barely left my house for almost four months, I’ve discovered I can miss out on stuff and (gasp!) still survive.

RELATED: I Love You Enough to Say No, So You Can Say Yes to the Right Things

I still have friends. I’m still happy. I’ve realized my kids don’t know, or even care, what they’re missing if they never knew it was on the table in the first place.

I was the one who held that weight on my shoulders—weight I put there myself.

Don’t want another thing on your weekly to-do list? Don’t sign your kid up for that activity.

Say no to the demanding child. It won’t kill them. That’s right, I said it. Let them pitch the fit in the middle of Target over being told a big, fat no. I guarantee more women will be staring at you because of your guts than due to your crying kid.

RELATED: As a Mom, Sometimes I Say No When My Heart Longs to Say Yes

Stand up for the way you choose to parent. Don’t let someone else belittle you, make you feel less than, or question what you’re doing. You are your child’s parent. Own it and don’t let people try to convince you otherwise. On the flip side, if you do make a mistake, then own that, too. Our kids deserve apologies the same as adults.

If you’re tired, then say no.

You don’t have to go to every girl’s night. You don’t have to meet up with family every single time they extend the invite. You don’t need to feel guilty if you don’t want to go to the park with your kids. Stay home in the AC all day and watch what it does for your soul.

You don’t have to do all the traveling for every. single. holiday. Do not do this to yourself. Roads run in all directions. People can come see you, too. If they don’t, then maybe that one’s on them?

RELATED: We Don’t Always Say Yes—And Other Ways Our Family Keeps Busyness at Bay

Don’t want to cook dinner? Then say no. Tell the kids (and the big kid—ahem, I mean husband) to fend for themselves. Let them have cereal or frozen waffles or whatever they like. They’ll probably love you more for it anyway.

Do not let the weight of saying no hold you down. If anything, saying no just might free you.

So God Made a Grandmother book by Leslie Means

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

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Motherhood no pandemic quarantine raising kids say no saying no tired mom

Jordan Morgan

Wife & mama just winging this whole thing one day at a time. I have a love for words, travel, the South, family, Jesus, yoga, and a relaxing swing on the front porch. I try to find humor in all things and keep motherhood real – the good and the bad. My goal is to help women on the motherhood journey feel less alone. You can find me over on my blog at www.jordanmorgan.com on Facebook @jordanmorganwriter or on instagram @mamayogatn

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Dear Tired Mom, it’s OK To Say No

RELATED: I Love You Enough to Say No, So You Can Say Yes to the Right Things

I was the one who held that weight on my shoulders—weight I put there myself.

RELATED: As a Mom, Sometimes I Say No When My Heart Longs to Say Yes

If you’re tired, then say no.

RELATED: We Don’t Always Say Yes—And Other Ways Our Family Keeps Busyness at Bay

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

Jordan Morgan

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

Get It Now

So God Made a Mother

Dear Tired Mom, it’s OK To Say No

I was the one who held that weight on my shoulders—weight I put there myself.

If you’re tired, then say no.

If you liked this, you'll love our book, SO GOD MADE A GRANDMA

I Finally Admitted I Didn’t Want To Be a SAHM Anymore

I’m Not Really Sure How To Do This Teenager Thing

Why Don’t We Talk About Jonah’s Mother?

To the Mom Worrying She’s Not Doing Enough This Summer

Your Worth As a Mother Is Not Defined By How You Feed Your Baby

A Mother’s Love Doesn’t End When Her Kids Move Out

The Hardest Part of Divorce Is Being Away from My Kids

I May Let Go of the Baby Things, but I’ll Hold the Memories Forever

Mom Showed Us Love that Lasts

This Is How I’m Raising My Sensitive Son

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