Feeling Overwhelmed and Burned out
What it looks like, why it’s happening, and how to begin healing in small, real ways.
Feeling Overwhelmed and Burned out
What it looks like, why it’s happening, and how to begin healing in small, real ways.
Feeling Overwhelmed and Burned out
What it looks like, why it’s happening, and how to begin healing in small, real ways.
Let’s be real: parenting is beautiful, but it’s also exhausting.
You’re juggling snacks, school runs, tantrums, work, laundry, and the mental gymnastics of remembering 374 things for everyone in the house—all while trying not to lose your temper.
And some days… it’s just too much.
If you’ve whispered (or screamed) “I’m so overwhelmed!”, you’re not weak.
You’re not failing.
You’re a parent. And you’re burned out.
This is one of the top 5 parenting struggles—and it’s one we don’t talk about enough. So let’s change that.
What Parenting Burnout Feels Like
Parenting burnout isn’t just about feeling tired—it’s a mix of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can look like:
- Snapping over small things
- Feeling numb or checked out
- Dreading the start of each day
- Losing patience with your kids (and then feeling guilty)
- Fantasizing about disappearing for a week
If any of this sounds familiar, you’re not broken. You’re overwhelmed—and that’s a signal, not a flaw.
Why It’s Happening
- You’re Always “On”
There’s no off switch. From sunup to bedtime, parenting asks everything from you—every day.
2. You Put Everyone Else First
When was the last time you did something just for you? (No, scrolling Instagram in the bathroom doesn’t count.)
3. You’re Trying to Be the Perfect Parent
Social media shows us highlight reels. Real life is a hot mess of goldfish crackers and feelings.
How to Recover from Parenting Burnout
🔹 1. Say the Hard Truth Out Loud
Start with this: “I am overwhelmed.”
Naming it is powerful. It shifts you out of denial and into healing.
🔹 2. Lower the Bar—Not Your Standards, Just the Pressure
Let go of perfection. Your child doesn’t need a perfect parent—just a present one.
🔹 3. Build Micro-Moments of Self-Care
Self-care isn’t spa days. It’s breathing deeply for 30 seconds. It’s stepping outside alone for 3 minutes. Start small.
🔹 4. Ask for (and Accept) Help
You don’t have to carry it all. Ask your partner to take the kids for an hour. Trade babysitting with a friend. Outsource what you can.
🔹 5. Connect With Other Parents
You’re not the only one who cried in the laundry room. Talking to other parents—or a coach—can lighten the emotional load.
You’re Worth Rest, Too.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’ve been trying to do too much, likely too alone, for too long.
Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. It’s parenting from strength—not survival.
2. You Put Everyone Else First
When was the last time you did something just for you? (No, scrolling Instagram in the bathroom doesn’t count.)
3. You’re Trying to Be the Perfect Parent
Social media shows us highlight reels. Real life is a hot mess of goldfish crackers and feelings.
How to Recover from Parenting Burnout
🔹 1. Say the Hard Truth Out Loud
Start with this: “I am overwhelmed.”
Naming it is powerful. It shifts you out of denial and into healing.
🔹 2. Lower the Bar—Not Your Standards, Just the Pressure
Let go of perfection. Your child doesn’t need a perfect parent—just a present one.
🔹 3. Build Micro-Moments of Self-Care
Self-care isn’t spa days. It’s breathing deeply for 30 seconds. It’s stepping outside alone for 3 minutes. Start small.
🔹 4. Ask for (and Accept) Help
You don’t have to carry it all. Ask your partner to take the kids for an hour. Trade babysitting with a friend. Outsource what you can.
🔹 5. Connect With Other Parents
You’re not the only one who cried in the laundry room. Talking to other parents—or a coach—can lighten the emotional load.
You’re Worth Rest, Too.
Burnout doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’ve been trying to do too much, likely too alone, for too long.
Taking care of yourself isn’t a luxury. It’s parenting from strength—not survival.