How the 2025 Economy is Quietly Impacting Moms' Mental Health— And What Therapists Are Seeing
You don't need a financial report from me to tell you things feel heavier than ever this year. If you’re a mom raising young kids in 2025, you’ve probably felt the ripple effects of this economy in your body, your relationships, and your mind.
Groceries are more expensive. Childcare costs feel next to impossible. Your emergency fund isn’t stretching as far. On top of all that? Society says you’re still expected to show up, hold it together, and stay grateful.
I work with moms across Oregon who are saying things like:
“I can’t tell if it’s anxiety or just the cost of everything lately.”
“Even when I’m not doing anything, my body feels like it’s in overdrive.”
“I’m resenting my partner more, even though I know we’re both trying as hard as we can.”
The emotional load of motherhood has always been heavy. So now, the 2025 economy is adding a layer of stress that many moms don’t even realize is affecting their mental health.
How Financial Pressure Shows Up in Therapy
In sessions, I’m not just hearing worries about inflation. I’m seeing the very real impact of financial stress on how moms think, feel, and cope day to day.
Here’s what it looks like:
Increased irritability with partners and kids
Trouble sleeping (but not from the baby this time)
Guilt about not being able to “afford” rest, support, or help
Shame for not contributing financially in the way they used to
Anxiety spirals around budgeting, meal planning, or work decisions
Moms are carrying mental spreadsheets in their heads — calculating childcare hours, grocery lists, work flexibility, and emotional capacity. It’s not just logistical. It’s emotional labor.
Client Story: When Budgeting Meets Burnout
One mom I worked with recently, we will call her Melissa, described feeling like she was constantly “bracing for impact.” She had two kids under six, was trying to freelance part-time, and every unexpected expense felt like a crisis. “I find myself snapping at the kids just because I’m doing the math in my head while they’re asking for snacks,” she said.
In therapy, Melissa realized her overwhelm wasn’t because she was failing. It was because she was functioning in survival mode.
We didn’t create a budget. We worked on:
Noticing when financial fear was hijacking her nervous system
Grounding techniques to come back to the present
Reframing worth outside of productivity or income
Naming her values so her decisions felt anchored, not reactive
Why Moms Are Feeling This So Deeply
Motherhood already comes with:
Societal pressure to be the default parent
Lack of structural support for childcare and postpartum
The invisible workload of managing everyone’s needs
Layer on a fragile economy and it creates a perfect storm for burnout.
Many of the moms I work with aren’t necessarily in crisis. They’re functioning… they are going to work, packing lunches. However, inside, they feel like they’re unraveling slowly, quietly. That’s where therapy can be life-changing.
How Therapy Can Help You Cope in This Economic Season Learn More About Therapy For Moms
You don’t need to change your entire life to feel more like yourself again, but you do need space to:
Name what you’re carrying (mentally, emotionally, financially)
Understand how it’s showing up in your parenting and partnership
Learn tools to regulate, reframe, and reconnect to yourself
At The Nurtured Theory, I work with moms who want to:
Feel less reactive and more grounded
Navigate overwhelm without guilt
Make decisions rooted in values, not fear
If you’re feeling off lately and wondering if it’s "just the money stress" that’s valid. You don’t have to carry it all alone.
📞 Grab a free consult call today and let’s talk about what support can actually look like in this season.
With love,
Kaitlyn Dove
Kaitlyn Dove, a therapist in Oregon and founder of The Nurtured Theory. Helping millennial moms move from burnout and self-doubt to clarity and confidence in motherhood. Learn more at www.thenurturedtheory.com.
*All client stories use fictitious names and their stories are altered a bit to protect the confidentiality and identity of the person.
FAQ: The 2025 Economy & Mental Health for Moms
Q: Is it normal to feel more anxious in this economy?
A: Yes. Financial uncertainty activates our survival instincts. Therapy helps you notice and regulate those responses.
Q: How do I know if it’s burnout or just being a mom?
A: Burnout feels like you’re never catching up, emotionally and physically. Therapy helps you find your baseline again.
Q: What if my partner doesn’t understand?
A: Many moms feel isolated in their stress. Part of therapy is helping you find language for your needs so you’re not carrying this alone.
Q: Do I need to be in crisis to start therapy?
A: Absolutely not. Most of my clients are managing "okay," but know there’s more available than just survival mode.