Women & Mental Health: The Weight We Carry, The Kindness We Grow
Solace Counseling
With locations in Fargo and Bismarck, Solace Counseling offers personalized and non-judgmental therapy for various life challenges, such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and women's issues.
Solace Counseling is a proud supporter of the BIO Girls mission through our annual Find Your Kind 5K. To celebrate and bring awareness to mental health this May, they’re sharing tips for moms juggling it all.
Women & Mental Health: The Weight We Carry, The Kindness We Grow
Let’s be honest—being a woman today is no small feat. And if you're a mom, it's like juggling flaming swords while walking a tightrope… in heels… during a windstorm.
We're the schedulers, the feelers, the fixers, the planners. And somewhere in between the dentist appointments and the science fair projects, we're also tasked with raising good humans—ones who are kind, resilient, and emotionally aware.
That’s no small ask.
And let’s not forget the daily pressure-cooker decisions:
Should I sign them up for soccer and piano?
Are we overdoing it?
What if they fall behind?
What if they never learn how to push through?
It’s a mental load that rarely gets set down, even when our heads hit the pillow at night.
But here’s the truth we often need reminding of:
Our peace is their peace.
Our calm teaches their calm.
Our compassion for ourselves becomes the model for how they treat others.
So how do we raise kind, compassionate kids without burning ourselves out in the process?
Here are a few gentle reminders for the journey:
Simplify where you can.
More activities doesn’t always mean more growth. Kids thrive on boredom, creativity, and the stillness of slow Saturdays. It’s okay to protect downtime.
Model emotional awareness.
Say things like, “I’m feeling overwhelmed, so I’m going to take a few deep breaths,” or “That was frustrating, but I’m trying to stay calm.” You don’t have to be perfect—just present.
Celebrate kindness over achievement.
Praise the “thank yous,” the helping hands, the empathy. Let them know that who they are matters more than what they do.
Guard your own mental health.
Therapy, support groups, walks with a good friend—these aren’t luxuries. They’re lifelines. Your emotional well-being is foundational to your family's.
Re-evaluate often.
Just because everyone else is doing year-round sports doesn’t mean you have to. What works for your family may not look like anyone else’s. And that’s okay.
You’re not just raising kids.
You’re shaping future adults—ones who will grow into coworkers, partners, neighbors, and friends.
And the greatest legacy you’ll leave isn’t whether they got a college scholarship or made the A team. It’s whether they knew how to love, how to feel, how to be kind in a world that desperately needs it.
So take a breath. Give yourself grace and a big pep talk!
