Exhausted? Here's why parents are worn out, according to new research
It's no shocker that parents – from brand new ones to the veteran kind – are extremely tired most of the time.
According to ScaryMommy, there is new research to suggest that parents are feeling the pressure of the job and becoming increasingly overwhelmed.
This is known as parental burnout.
Sound familiar?
We just launched our latest report this morning! Find out why parents in the U.S. are experiencing parental burnout #Parenting https://t.co/J96DaMbJBK pic.twitter.com/fKJniRrNSt
— BPI Network (@BPINetwork) June 26, 2018
The Business Performance Innovative Network has conducted a study into just how much of a burnout is happening and how much it is affecting employee's productivity levels.
According to this study, 60 percent of 2,000 parents surveyed in the US admitted that they feel burnt out.
It said that, 'nearly 30 percent of respondents point to pressure or exhaustion from work or managing the home, and a similar number believe financial concerns, demands or limitations are primary PBO (Parental Burnout) contributors.''
First kid: Has everything sanitised.
Second kid: Gets cleaned occasionally.
Third kid: Is currently drinking water out of the dog bowl.
— Scary Mommy (@ScaryMommy) July 10, 2018
Parents also admitted that a serious trigger for stress was trying to juggle kids while both parents were working, which is something that many people can relate to.
Their most significant contributors to parental burnout are:
- Lack of cooperation from children or teenagers (33 percent)
- Pressure or exhaustion from work or managing the home (29 percent)
- Financial concerns, pressures or limitations (29 percent)
- Too many digital device and social media distractions for kids and teens (26 percent)
- Overloaded commitments and activities involving children (21 percent)
No more babies at home, but this is hilariously true! #ParentLife #momproblems pic.twitter.com/WWNJdV4ZXB
— RachelGG (@RLGG82) July 2, 2018
As well as this, thy note that their top five challenges to healthy parenting in our modern society are:
- Social media distractions (29 percent)
- Both parents working (27 percent)
- Emotional or behavioral dysfunction (24 percent)
- Peer expectations and competition, including bullying (21 percent)
- Violence and safety concerns in schools (18 percent)
Just don't. pic.twitter.com/21wIjuBA0n
— Scary Mommy (@ScaryMommy) July 9, 2018
According to Romper, Dr Neil Brown is a help expert in this area and he has spoken out about this topic.
He has said, ''parental burnout is a state of physical, mental, and emotional exhaustion. It leaves parents feeling chronically fatigued, often experiencing sleep and concentration problems—and it can lead to depression, chronic anxiety, and illness. It can significantly impact work performance, productivity, business distraction and mindshare.''
#ParentalBurnoutTip: In a state of #parentalburnout, you will feel emotional, mental, and physical fatigue and seriously depleted in all three areas. https://t.co/DVabmPQNh5 via @neildbrownlcsw
— Neil D Brown (@NeilDBrownLCSW) June 21, 2018
There you have it…parental burnout is real, folks and it's affecting quite a lot of you.
We might be wrecked all the time, but it doesn't mean we should just accept it.
Just remember, parenting is one of the hardest jobs in the world, but you're not in it alone…just keep going, you're doing great.