{Episode 93} Motherhood, mental health & self-care: why society needs to do more with Kim Palmer

Mums are constantly told the solution to burnout is more self-care, so more rest, more resilience, more mindset work. But what if the problem isn’t mums, it’s the systems surrounding them?

In this episode, I’m joined by Kim Palmer, CEO of the Clementine App, to explore why maternal wellbeing can’t be fixed by individual self-care alone, and why society needs to take greater responsibility for supporting mothers.

The Problem With Individualising Self-Care

Self-care matters, but when it becomes the only solution offered to mums, it quietly shifts blame onto women. If you’re struggling, the message becomes: you’re not doing enough. We talk about how this narrative ignores the realities of modern motherhood: emotional labour, mental load, financial pressure, and constant responsibility, often with very little support.

Maternal Mental Health Support in the UK

Despite growing awareness, maternal mental health resources in the UK remain limited, especially for mums who are not in crisis but are quietly overwhelmed.

In this conversation, we explore why:

  • Support often comes too late

  • Preventive care is lacking

  • Many mums fall through the cracks

Maternal mental health isn’t just about the postnatal period; it’s about years of cumulative pressure.

Childcare Costs, Paternity Leave & the Mental Load

Soaring childcare costs and limited paternity leave place enormous strain on families, and disproportionately on mothers.

Kim shares how these structural issues impact:

  • A mother’s mental health

  • Career choices and confidence

  • Recovery and wellbeing in early parenthood

This isn’t about individual families “doing better”, it’s about systems that make thriving nearly impossible.

Listen to the Episode

This episode is for mums who feel exhausted, stretched thin, and quietly wondering why motherhood feels so hard, even when they’re doing everything “right”.

Listen to the Reclaiming MUM podcast on AppleiTunes or on  Spotify.

If you are an overwhelmed but ambitious mum and want support creating a motherhood journey that feels more aligned and meets you where you are now, book a free breakthrough call, and let’s chat.

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Why are so many mums exhausted, even when they’re doing everything “right”? In this powerful conversation with Kim Palmer, CEO of the Clementine App, we explore maternal mental health in the UK, the limits of self-care, soaring childcare costs, and why society needs to do more to support mothers. This episode is for mums feeling overwhelmed, carrying the mental load, and questioning why motherhood feels so hard. You are not failing — the system is. 🎧 Read the blog + listen to the episode on maternal wellbeing, childcare pressure, paternity leave, and collective care for mums.

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I share a mix of real-life mum moments, simple self-care tips, and little nuggets of coaching wisdom on my Instagram every day. Think behind-the-scenes of life with four spirited kids, practical ways to feel calmer, and gentle reminders to prioritise you without guilt. If you’d like a daily dose of inspiration, laughter, and encouragement for navigating this messy, beautiful mum life, come and join me over on Instagram.  I’d love to connect with you there!