How parental burnout affects children
Parental burnout is on the rise globally, especially after COVID-19 and multiple lockdowns. ‘Burnout’ reminds us of people who work excessive hours and sacrifice their home for job success. However, career is not the only thing that causes burnouts. Parenting is a full time job, and it can also cause burnouts by getting too demanding.
What is parental burnout?
Parental burnout was first recognised in the early 1980s by researchers Isabelle Roskam and Moïra Mikolajczak, who described it as ‘an exhaustion syndrome, characterised by feeling physically and mentally overwhelmed by their role as a parent’. It’s a silent and gradual process, so most parents don’t notice it till it gets unbearable. So the first thing, according to researchers and psychologists, is to be self-aware and know that you are facing potential burnout.
What are the symptoms of parental burnout?
We have listed some symptoms below. More than this can also happen, depending on the extent the burnout has progressed.
- Brain fog or a confused, forgetful condition always
- Shorter temper and low tolerance
- A constant, physical feeling of extreme stress
- Feeling depressed or trapped / claustrophobic
- Feeling isolated or unable to communicate
- Poor sleep and stomach problems
- Feeling continuously irritated without a clear reason
We can get these sometimes, but never all together and not all the time. If that is the case, recognise and accept the red flag raised by your body.
The effects of burnout on kids
Parental burnout, like a job burnout, can have negative effects on both your physical and mental health, and that of your family. In extreme cases, parental burnout increase instances of child abuse, abandonment and neglect. Parental stress is unfortunately one of the greatest reasons for child emotional and physical abuse, ending in domestic violence. Teens can also turn to substance abuse, obsessive behaviours, and gadget addiction and online delinquency because of this. Younger kids start using abusive language, throw tantrums or become withdrawn. A very stressed parent can actually make the child suicidal, creating a vicious cycle of victimisation from parent to kid. So if it’s happening to you, don’t wait, reach out for help.