It is said that being a parent is one of the hardest jobs there is. A study has shown that parents in the U.S have rated the highest in stress levels. The extreme level of stress is called Parental burnout and it affects more than 30% of Americans. Parental burnout is defined as overwhelming exhaustion related to one’s parental role, an emotional distancing from one’s children, and a sense of parental ineffectiveness.
The development of parental burnout may be caused by the societal demands and expectations of what a parent should be. Another reason may be the unavailability of resources a parent may need to fit society’s demands, whether it be financial issues or emotional/mental concerns. A common issue that parents face is finding enough quality time with their children if they work outside of their homes. During the lockdown, many parents had to stay home. Some parents found this to be a positive decision, while others did not. This leads to another issue of parents feeling trapped or restricted if they are not following their dreams or becoming who they want to be.
The outcome of not treating parental burnout can be detrimental to the child. It is reported that due to burnout, there is a higher rate of child abuse and child negligence. To prevent any of these outcomes, it is best to deal with the situation. The first step is sympathizing with yourself, parental self-compassion allows you to realize how tough being a parent is and accept that you need breaks, even if the breaks are for a minute or two. Another step is to communicate your emotions with others who will listen. To learn more about parental burnout here is an amazing article to help you identify parental burnout and how to deal with it! Support for Parents from Action For Children
Being a parent is a 24-hour job, breaks are never promised, especially if your little one is always on the go. Find time to recharge yourself, whether it be at night or during naptime. Remember, to be the best for your little one, you need to recharge your energy!
