Exhausted, disconnected and fed up: what is ‘parental burnout’ and what can you do about it?

Article from The Guardian, 22 May 2023, by Alan Ralph

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/may/22/exhausted-disconnected-and-fed-up-what-is-parental-burnout-and-what-can-you-do-about-it

It can be difficult for time-poor parents to practise self-care. But when they do, it has a positive impact on their health – and on their family too.

For many parents, the reality of juggling the demands of caring responsibilities on their time, energy and resources leaves them with little time to take care of their own wellbeing. This can result in “parental burnout”.

Although the exploration of parental burnout is relatively new, research has identified it as a prevalent issue across global communities and cultures.

You could be forgiven for thinking there’s a simple solution to this growing concern: relax and get some sleep! But again, the reality can be far different.

Four signs of parental burnout

Parental burnout is not just a buzzword. It’s a growing syndrome that results from chronic parenting stress. It is characterised by four main symptoms for parents:

1. Experiencing physical or emotional exhaustion – or both.

2. Feeling shame about their parenting, or that they’re not as good a parent as they used to be.

3. Feeling overwhelmed or “fed up” with the role of being a parent.

4. Feeling emotionally disconnected from their children.

Despite many feeling this way, recent research shows 60% of parents don’t routinely do anything to relax and recharge. It can be hugely challenging for caregivers to carve out time and space to look after themselves. But when they do, it can have a positive impact on their physical and mental health, which can help them to manage the demands of parenting, so children and families benefit too.

Four positive things parents can do

So what can parents and carers do to help prevent or reduce burnout when they’re already stretched so thin? Here are four things to explore:

1. Being less critical of yourself

2. Reframing self-care

3. Remembering small, everyday moments of self-care have a big impact

4. Asking for help

Our thoughts:

Parenting is tough. The day-to-day challenges are with us everyday, so please carve out time for yourselves. We can't give from an empty cup, so look after yourself! Don't look to make massive changes, they won't stick. Instead look for little moments for yourself and know it will have long-term benefits on you and your family.