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Parental Burnout. Can you recognize the Signs?

parenting, parental burnout, wellness, self care, motherhood, toddlers, newborn, parenthood, parental fatigue

Parental Burnout. Can You Recognize the Signs?
by Nadia Sabri, MD

What is parental burnout and can you recognize the signs? Read on.

In the early days of parenthood when sleep is rare and caffeine intake is at an all-time high, some days the highlight of the day is the kids’ nap times. Forget about a world of curiosity and wonder, can I just get a few minutes of quiet or some adult conversation please?

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After the initial novelty of having a baby fades into the reality of consecutive nights of sleepless or disturbed sleep, exhaustion compounds, each day blends into the next, and the mom or dad guilt of “I’m not doing enough for my kids” or “I’m not spending enough time with my kids”, many parents feel like they lose their sense of self and who they used to be before becoming parents.

Speaking with other parent friends, variations of a common sentiment are most quietly shared when they were away from judgmental eyes and they can relax the obligatory perma-smiles on their faces to say that maybe life isn’t 100% awesome life all the time. Yes, they love parenthood but they are just so tired a lot of the time.

I’ve heard people say things like, “when life used to be fun”, “I have kids… this is my life now”, “motherhood/fatherhood is so lonely” or “the old me is dead”. They often don’t have a term to verbalize what they are experiencing and use the word ‘tired’.

However, I think the more accurate word is burnout. Parental burnout.

Wait—you might say. Isn’t burnout something that happens at work? It does.

However, it can also apply to any experience including the parenthood experience. Parents may think they are afflicted with what I refer to as Parental Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (PCFS). Note: this isn’t a real syndrome according to Google but I like mnemonics to describe things and this seems catchy.

So, what is burnout and how does it apply to the parenthood experience?

The Webster’s definition of burnout is the ‘exhaustion of physical or emotional strength or motivation usually as a result of prolong stress or frustration’.

Psychology Today notes, ‘ [b]urnout is not a simple result of long hours. The cynicism, depression, and lethargy of burnout can occur when you’re not in control of how you carry out your job, when you’re working toward goals that don’t resonate with you, and when you lack social support. If you don’t tailor your responsibilities… or at least take a break once in a while, you could face a mountain of mental and physical health problems’.

Hm, not being in control of your time, lack of social support, and don’t/can’t take a break in a while?

Parents, does this sound familiar?

12 Signs of Parental Burnout

You’re probably experiencing parental burnout if you are experiencing one or more of the following:

1.  You’re tired all the time

2.  You find yourself more irritable than usual or have lower frustration tolerance

3.  Can’t remember the last time you did anything for yourself that is non-kid related

4.  Don’t remember what day it or what you did a few days ago. Everything is a blur

5.  Sometimes long for the days you were child free or wish you had more time to yourself

6.  Feel guilty for having those feelings

7.  Think your child may be doing their behaviors on purpose to annoy you

8.  Not sure how have conversations with others about non-children related topics.

9.  Forgotten who you are as a person and/or can’t remember what you liked to do when you used to have free time

10.  Feel obligated to say you are happy 100% of the time

11.  When you do have a moment to yourself, you don’t know what to do and may just sit there unsure of what to do.

12.  Sigh a lot and not sure why

I could go on but you get the picture.

Parents, be aware of this and look for the signs. The first step is recognizing there is an issue. The next step is doing something about it.

I cannot stress the importance of taking a time out for yourself and asking for help with responsibilities. You do not need to do it all. You already do enough! Get a house cleaning person, babysitter, daycare, etc. and make the time for self care. Some of my self care ideas.

Parenting is a meaningful and enlightening experience. However, one cannot enjoy any experience if not in the correct mindset or without the proper rest.

To use the analogy of sailing, there will be rough seas but the goal is to not drown. This analogy aside, please do not drown in parenting. Please do not aim for perfection, instead focus on being there for your child, practicing self compassion, and approaching tantrums in a gentle yet positive manner.

Friends and family members of people with kids, please avoid saying directly or indirectly, “isn’t that what you signed up for?” or “other people have kids too so why can’t you manage?” or “have you tried x, y, z?”

This kind of ‘advice’ is unhelpful and frankly, judgmental. You don’t know what anyone else is going through. And they likely aren’t sharing it with you if you are making the kind of statements as above.

Please know that your friends with kids love being a parent but they still need your support–even if it is just venting.

If you actually want to be there for your people, say something like “want to talk about it?” or “how can we help?” and please follow through. Don’t crush their hope with false promises.

So go ahead and give your parent friend a break. They will happily return the favor.

Warmly,

All of your friends with kids

 

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission with no extra charge to you if you purchase through my links. See disclosure for more information.

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41 Comments

  • Reply
    Vian
    February 6, 2018 at 11:55 pm

    Love it, interested with this topic because I’ve been there when I was breastfeeding. Being a parent, especially us moms need to sacrifice our time to be a great mom even it means sacrificing a lot.

    • Reply
      themindfulmdmom
      February 7, 2018 at 10:03 am

      Yes, you are so right! Breastfeeding is one of those beautiful yet very time consuming aspects of being a mom. Thanks for sharing your experience!

    • Reply
      Sam
      March 29, 2018 at 10:39 pm

      Sam@Thiswaymommy
      Very interesting blog post. I am glad that you are highlighting real symptoms that are sometimes just passed off as “in somebody’s head”, or as being not real. Thank you !

      • Reply
        themindfulmdmom
        April 4, 2018 at 7:59 pm

        It is very real and important to raise awareness so parents don’t feel that it is ‘just tiredness’.

  • Reply
    Caitlin
    February 7, 2018 at 6:28 am

    Oh boy can I relate to this. I have four little ones and my youngest likes to start his day between 4;30 and 5:30 every day. It is exhausting! I know the feeling of burnout all too well. Luckily we do have family nearby that helps out when we need them and we are good about getting a date night fairly regularly! Everyone says this stage passes but when you have a bunch of kids it seems like it takes a LONG time to pass!

    • Reply
      themindfulmdmom
      February 7, 2018 at 10:02 am

      Thanks for sharing your experience! It is so important to recognize parental burnout for what it is and then take steps to fix it. I am glad yall are making time for yourselves too!

  • Reply
    Pujarini
    February 7, 2018 at 7:41 am

    This is a great read

  • Reply
    Melissa Welby
    February 7, 2018 at 11:45 am

    Being a parent is hard! Its a marathon and not a sprint and we need to pace ourselves. Great reminders of the importance of self-care!

  • Reply
    Kristen Kasper Stuppy
    February 7, 2018 at 6:44 pm

    I think this is under appreciated in parenting. When we start yelling too much or just not enjoying our kids and our own time, we need to step back and reassess to see what can be done differently. Asking for help is important but something many moms have a hard time doing. This is a great topic to discuss!

  • Reply
    Van Cast
    February 8, 2018 at 9:59 am

    This is a very necessary information, well-written post . Thank you for adding value.

  • Reply
    Chava
    February 15, 2018 at 11:56 am

    Yup, yup and yup. Been there. Am there now, a bit. Have to do self care!

  • Reply
    Emily Brown
    February 15, 2018 at 11:59 am

    This is SO close to home!! As a working mom there is balance between work fatigue and parental fatigue and knowing that a “break” at work isn’t always enough!

  • Reply
    Roger
    February 15, 2018 at 7:11 pm

    I’ve never really experienced this but I can tell you I have been on the phone with many of my friends as they have been going through this. I will forward this article on to them thank you for sharing such great information.

  • Reply
    Sara | mshealthesteem.com
    February 15, 2018 at 7:54 pm

    It’s so important to know the signs of burnout. This affects so many people, especially parents. Being surrounded with tons of love and support is a huge help. And, of course, knowing to look out for the symptoms and seek help when you need it is crucial! Thanks for sharing such an important topic! <3

  • Reply
    Neha Gupta
    February 16, 2018 at 8:39 am

    I used to be a mom 2 years ago who used to say Life was like this before kids…but with time i started prioritizing things and got back on my self…Learnt the the balance of things and know how to juggle home and kids and work today !

  • Reply
    Anna
    February 16, 2018 at 8:43 am

    This is very well written. It is important that we have a quiet time to gather ourself together. Talking to mother really helps, sharing thoughts gives us an idea how to deal our daily life.

  • Reply
    JLyn
    February 16, 2018 at 1:29 pm

    I love this article. I’m not a parent myself but you have given me some ideas to help out friends who do.

  • Reply
    Allie
    February 16, 2018 at 2:46 pm

    Well, this sounds all too familiar! Totally believe that parental burnout is a real thing. And you’re exactly right, it makes us feel guilty when we yell or have a lower tolerance some days or if we don’t spend enough time with our kids. Parenting is a lot tougher than I had imagined but I think every parent will agree that despite it all, it’s totally worth it 🙂

  • Reply
    Penny
    February 16, 2018 at 4:44 pm

    Really, this is all too familiar. Logically, you know the years are short, but the days are long. Sometimes the momentum of the days overwhelm the magic of the years!

  • Reply
    Rachel George
    February 17, 2018 at 1:33 pm

    My younger son is now 11 but, due to complex disabilities, life is still filled with all the work and stress of the toddler years, but with a child who still can’t sit up, stand or get themselves a drink. I think I.am succumbing to burnout now, probably because I am.realising that this is a point where other 11 year old children are becoming more independent.

  • Reply
    Frankie
    February 17, 2018 at 5:32 pm

    Great post everyone needs a good support network 🙂

  • Reply
    Live Your Best Life: 4 Steps to Living with Intention - The Mindful MD Mom
    March 26, 2018 at 12:03 pm

    […] and listening isn’t really listening as much as just going through the motions. Being tired or parental burnout mode can take a toll on being present so be aware of […]

  • Reply
    Susie Whittenberger
    March 29, 2018 at 1:30 pm

    The guilt of not having dinner ready on time. That’s when I realized I needed help. Thank you for this.

  • Reply
    Maryam Sedghi
    May 8, 2018 at 9:21 am

    Very well written! I think this is a subject that a lot of parents experience but don’t recognize or don’t want to admit. Thank you for bringing light to this subject ❤️

  • Reply
    Jeanette Houle
    August 30, 2018 at 10:01 am

    Love the mom content on your site!

  • Reply
    Christine Robbins
    March 6, 2019 at 2:47 pm

    I can totally relate! I am 55 years old and have been raising two of my grandchildren (ages 11 and 10) for the past 10 years. They both have ADHD and behavior problems. I am definitely suffering from burnout, as I have every single symptom on your list. It is affecting my work life and my relationship. I was just “counseled” at work and told that I have been irritable with my co-workers, which I did not realize. I get very little time to myself, and haven’t had any time to exercise in months. I’m not boo-hooing, I will be seeking some help in the very near future.

    • Reply
      themindfulmdmom
      March 8, 2019 at 12:21 am

      Thanks for sharing your experience, Christine. Raising kids is not easy. Recognition of caregiver burnout is so important because it affects all the aspects of our lives. You are wonderful for raising your grandkids and recognizing your wellness. Even if it is a few minutes each day, take a little bit of time to reconnect with yourself. For me, waking up 30 minutes before the rest of the family to get some quiet time for me makes such a difference. My recommendation for exercise is to make it accessible. For example,10-15 minutes before bedtime to stretch or do gentle yoga counts as both exercise and relaxation/self care. Keep us posted.

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