If you've ever felt your whole body recoil from one more person touching you, you already know what being touched out feels like.

The usual advice is to take a bath, get some alone time or ask for more help. Those things can bring relief. Yet for some mothers, the feeling returns almost immediately. This article explores what being touched out can tell us about sensory activation, nervous system capacity and the experiences your body may already be carrying.

Most mothers know the feeling, even if they've never had a name for it.

You're coping. Managing. Holding everything together. From the outside, life looks fine. Inside, something feels increasingly tight, exhausted or distant.

This stage is what I call Accommodation: the quiet process of overriding your own needs to meet everyone else's. It's one of the most common yet least recognised stages in The Mother Awakening Cycle, and understanding it can change everything.

Who knew that a piece of bread could spark an existential crisis? There I was, standing in my kitchen with an oval sourdough loaf and a steaming bowl of laksa, about to commit what I can only describe as a minor act of domestic rebellion. I needed to cut my toast lengthways to fit my bowl, but something felt wrong about it. That's when it hit me: how many other completely meaningless rules am I following just because "that's how it's done"? How many patterns am I unconsciously passing to my children? This reminded me of when my husband called in a panic because the kids wanted bread for breakfast—"bread isn't breakfast food," he said, "toast is." That moment of realisation changed everything about how I see inherited parenting patterns...

[Continue reading to discover the Toast Test and break free from autopilot parenting]

Discover the true essence of motherhood with our exploration of the term "Motherload." This engaging article delves into the joys and challenges of being a mother, highlighting the emotional and physical burdens that come with the role. With a sprinkle of humour and practical tips for navigating the chaos, we invite you to embrace the Motherload while recognising the importance of seeking support. Join us in celebrating the incredible journey of motherhood and learn how to lighten your load with Fantastic Futures.