Mood Swings and Motherhood

How to manage mood swings as a mother

Mood swings are a normal symptom of perimenopause. However, they can also impact your relationship with your family, and especially your children who may be undergoing life transitions themselves. Here is how perimenopause mood swings can affect motherhood and how to manage mood swings. 

Perimenopause and Mood Swings

Hormone fluctuations can affect emotions, while physical symptoms can lead to low self esteem. Women may experience low mood, irritation, depression, anxiety, along with breakdowns for reasons that are unknown. Mood swings can occur at any time, and last until past menopause. Lack of sleep along with stressful life experiences can also increase mood swings.  

Mood Swings and Motherhood

Raising children is a full time job on its own, and raising children while experiencing mood swings can be twice as stressful. Most mothers will approach menopause around the time that their children are in their teens—or maybe a toddler if they decide to become a mother later in life. Teens are undergoing hormonal changes themselves along with other physical changes. This can create some conflict and tension among mother and child, especially if both individuals are in a negative mood. Toddlers are often high on energy and can be considered “annoying” when the mother is not in a good mood. They may become irritated, raise their voice, or even break down and cry—thus scaring the toddler because they do not understand the situation yet. 

Managing Mood Swings 

One of the most important ways to manage mood swings is through self care. Two of the most common self care techniques are alone time and exercise. Alone time can help mothers reflect on themselves and process your emotions. Alone time also means that there are little to no distractions, which allows you time to wander and relax your mind. Exercise can be considered a natural stress reliever. It also increases endorphins, also known as the body’s “feel good” hormone. 

Another important consideration is nutrition. You should eat well and nourish your body. Eating a well balanced diet, and on time, can help improve concentration and attention span. When we eat, our brain is properly fueled, meaning that we can regulate our emotions more. 

Finally, it would be worth explaining to your loved ones what you are going through and that there may be times where you are not yourself. By communicating how mood swings affect you, it can lead to better understanding and support systems.

Mood swings can be unexplainable, unpredictable, and uncomfortable. However, know that mood swings are completely normal and there is no reason to be distressed about it. Don’t let

mood swings be an obstacle to great experiences in life—especially motherhood. 

Disclaimer

At It’sFetch.co we strive to provide valuable and reliable health information through our blog. We believe in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. However, it is important to understand that the content on our blog is not intended to replace the advice, diagnosis, or treatment provided by a qualified medical professional. 

Sources

Abecassis, D. (2020). How to keep you cool when raising children during perimenopause. A.Vogel. https://www.avogel.ca/blog/how-to-keep-you-cool-when-raising-children-during-perimenopause

Durward, E. (2019). Menopause & Motherhood: Raising children while menopausal. A.Vogel. https://www.avogel.co.uk/health/menopause/videos/menopause-motherhood-raising-children-while-menopausal

Silver, N. E. (2023). Mood changes during perimenopause are real. Here’s what to know. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/the-latest/mood-changes-during-perimenopause-are-real-heres-what-to-know

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