Tired & Overwhelmed? Parenting Can Burnout As Much As Work, Study Finds

Parenting can be fun, exciting and fulfilling. At the same time, it can also be overwhelming and extremely tiring, to the point when parents reach the end of their wits. When this happens, parental burnout may be the case and this kind of burnout can be comparable from that you get from work, a Belgian research reveals.

Some individuals, often those without children, never believe how much parenting can be too exhausting. It is real and pretty much like professional burnout in so many levels, as both concepts of burnout contain exhaustion, inefficacy and detachment, New York Times reported.

The report said that Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium explored parental burnout through 2,000 survey participants. Despite the fact that there were more women participants in the study compared to men, the researchers found out that both were equally susceptible to parental stress.

Factors contributing to it is the idealist expectations for parents. Moms and dads are expected to be non-violent, sensitive and supportive. Moreover, they are demanded to provide education close attention.

With more parents leaving home to enter the workforce, many parents are left with so many things on their plate with lesser time. The researchers confirm that as much as 12 percent of the parents experienced parental burnout on a weekly basis.

Parenting does not, however, pop out of nowhere immediately. Per Healthline, it slowly builds up, although there are signs to watch out for in order to address the matter as early as possible.

Irritability without reasonable cause is the first sign of parental burnout. Often, parents are also frequently resentful and frustrated over their children and their needs, even though the needs are only basic.

Parents may also feel they are not good enough as a parent. Eventually, the parents may feel emotionally detached from their children.

Parenting is that one job that requires no breaks, no absences and there are no options to quit. With this, parental burnout may be inevitable. It can, however, be avoided.

Moms and dads often put their kids first, but this can be wrong. It's important for parents to consider their own needs first every once in a while because being healthier and happier parents can be a big help for the entire family.

Find ways to release stress and relax and it's also important to have a support system when things are not going well. Being realistic about their goals and capacity as a parent also keeps them well-grounded and lastly, they should never compare themselves to other moms and dads.

Parenting can be stressful. At times, it can take the best of you, but most of the time, it can bring out the best in you.

Have you experienced and overcome parental burnout? Share to us your experience by commenting below!