As parents, our responsibilities are huge. From school drop-offs to bedtime stories, dinner prep, laundry and last-minute homework checks – it’s a lot of work! As a result, many parents experience what is known as parental burnout. Parental burnout refers to the stress that comes from being a parent on a constant basis. It happens when you feel like you can’t give more of yourself to your kids or their activities. When we hit this point, we feel like we have nothing left to give, which is why it’s also known as “parental exhaustion.” If left untreated, parental burnout can lead to serious consequences for both you and your child.
Signs of parental burnout
The symptoms of parental burnout are very clear – if you find yourself experiencing any of them, you’re likely in danger of reaching burnout. If any of these apply to you, you should take steps to prevent yourself from reaching a dangerous level of exhaustion. – You’re constantly tired. – You’re unable to connect with your child on an emotional level. – You constantly feel stressed out. – You feel like you have no time for yourself. – You feel like you have no energy left to give. – You feel like you’re failing as a parent. – You feel overwhelmed by the amount of work you have to do. – You feel like everything is too much. – You feel like you’re being too hard on your kids. – You feel like you’re not setting a good example for your kids. – You feel like nothing you do is good enough.
What causes parental burnout?
As parents, we have a lot going on in our lives. Many of us have full-time jobs and/or school, in addition to having children at home or involved in extracurricular activities. These are huge responsibilities, and that’s why it’s so important to prevent ourselves from experiencing parental burnout. Parental burnout can happen to anyone at any time, and there are a lot of contributing factors that can each lead to this condition. – Lack of time: If you feel like you have no time to yourself, you’re likely to experience parental burnout sooner than later. Having no time for yourself will cause you to feel stressed out and overwhelmed. – Lack of support: If you have nobody to talk to, you can’t get advice when you need it the most. You might feel stuck in a situation that you need help getting out of, but can’t get yourself out of. – Lack of sleep: If you aren’t sleeping enough, you’re likely to feel stressed out and tired. This can cause a lot of issues in your day-to-day life, and you may feel like you have no energy left to give. – Having too much on your plate: If you feel like you have too much on your plate, you’re at risk for experiencing parental burnout. You’re likely to feel overwhelmed, stressed out, and unable to handle the responsibilities you have.
How to prevent parental burnout
Preventing parental burnout is much easier than recovering from it. If you’re able to avoid reaching this critical point, you’ll be able to get out of it much quicker as well. – Prioritize: First, you need to prioritize your life. You need to make a list of everything you have to do, and then you need to prioritize your child’s needs. – Cut out the excess: You need to cut out the excess in your life. This can include anything from extracurricular activities to social outings. You need to be strict with how many things are on your plate, and you need to be strict with your kids’ plates as well. – Set aside time for yourself: You need to set aside time for yourself. Whether it’s a bath at the end of the day or a quick reading session before bed, you need to make sure you’re taking care of yourself.
3 ways to stay sane as a parent
- Get a hobby: Hobbies are great ways to decompress, and they’re wonderful outlets for creativity. Whether you like to paint, garden, play sports, or do anything else, you’re likely to feel more relaxed and refreshed once you’re done.
- Don’t engage in the drama: Drama can be incredibly stressful, and it can consume you and your family if you let it. If your child is stressing about something, take a step back and don’t engage. Let your child know that you’re there for them, but you’re not going to let the drama consume you.
- Take care of yourself: You’re the parent. You’re the one setting the example, and you’re the one who should be taking care of yourself first. If you take care of yourself, you’re able to take care of your family even better.
Conclusion
Parental burnout is a very real thing, and it can be incredibly dangerous. Luckily, there are ways to prevent it. Once you’ve reached this level, it’s important to take steps to get out of it. Cut out the excess, prioritize your child’s needs, and make sure that you’re taking care of yourself.
If you find yourself needing someone to talk to regarding your parental burnout, we offer online therapy, 24/7 online scheduling, and a client portal with hassle-free online paperwork. It’s easier than ever to fit therapy into your busy life and start making yourself a priority. Visit our website (www.losangelestherapycollective.com), text, or call to schedule a free, no-obligation 15-minute phone consultation today!
