Parental burnout is a state of physical and emotional exhaustion that develops when the demands of parenting outweigh a parent's resources for a long time. Researchers describe it as exhaustion, emotional distance from one's children and a loss of fulfilment in parenting.
Key takeaways
- It is different from ordinary tiredness and does not mean you are a bad parent.
- Lack of sleep, support and time for yourself all raise the risk.
- It can be reduced by rebalancing demands and resources.
What you can do
- Share caregiving and household tasks.
- Protect small blocks of time for rest and things you enjoy.
- Talk to someone you trust about how you feel.
When to talk to your doctor
Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional if exhaustion, irritability or feeling distant from your child last for weeks, or if you have thoughts of harming yourself or your child.
