Of course you love your kids, but lately, you feel drained.
Responding to their constant needs, the noise, a never-ending to-do list. You might even snap over small things, or feel guilty for wanting a break. To make things even more frustrating, when you do get time to yourself, you can’t shake the exhaustion. It’s enough to drive anyone up the wal
This is burnout. If you feel it, you’re not alone, and you don’t have to live with it until your kids are out of the house. Even though parenting is hard work, you don’t have to lose yourself in the process. Here’s how to recognize parental burnout, recover from it, and build a healthier relationship with your children.
Burnout isn’t an overnight phenomenon. It creeps in slowly, and you may not even notice it until you’re on the verge of a breakdown. Parental burnout looks like:
If these feelings feel all too familiar, it’s time to make a change.
You can’t pour from an empty cup. If you’re exhausted, no amount of “pushing through” will make things better.
Start small. Take ten minutes a day just for yourself. Read, stretch, breathe, or do anything that reminds you that there’s more to who you are than parenting. If you need some extra help coping with the guilt, try these 5 Ways to Drop the Guilt of Putting Yourself First.
Cut yourself some slack. Every meal doesn’t have to be homemade, and it’s okay to let your kids watch TV or use screens occasionally.
Give yourself permission to let go of perfection, and remember that lowering your expectations doesn’t mean you care about your children any less.
There’s a reason the phrase “it takes a village to raise a child” is so popular — it’s true!
Don’t hesitate to lean on your partner, family, or friends for support. If someone offers help, tell yourself that the offer is genuine and try to accept it (without guilt).
If you need some outside support from a neutral third party, Individual Counseling is a great way to learn how to find balance and set healthier boundaries.
Speaking of boundaries, it’s important to give yourself space to be a parent and a whole person outside of your children.
If every second of your day is about your kids, burnout is inevitable. Here are some simple boundaries to start with:
Your family may push back. They may be upset. It will feel difficult at first, but it’s important to push through the discomfort and maintain your boundaries.
Joy doesn’t have to be big to be impactful. It can be five minutes of uninterrupted coffee time. A short walk around the block. A deep breath before the chaos of your day begins.
Find what fills your soul, even in small ways.
And if your kids or other family members are struggling to understand why you need to find your individuality, Family Counseling can help. In counseling, a compassionate and understanding therapist will engage every member of your family so you can all come to a mutual understanding.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re a bad parent. It means you’re human.
If you need support with rediscovering yourself or setting boundaries with your kids, consider seeking professional support to help you build a healthier, more sustainable parenting life. To see how the caring, compassionate counselors at Foundations can help you find a better balance, book a free consultation.
Take a deep breath. Start with one small change. And remember — you matter, too.