Tantrums, teenage hormones, diapers, after-school activities—parenting is stressful, no matter which child-rearing stage you’re in. It takes a lot of work to raise decent, happy, and healthy human beings, and it may mean that you end up placing your own needs on the back burner. Here are some guaranteed ways to combat parental burnout before you spiral into mental and physical overload.
Divvy up the mental load
That to-do list swirling around your head is called the mental load, and it’s a huge parental burnout perpetrator. Individual tasks—like remembering to schedule your child’s next wellness visit or helping build their science diorama—may seem easy enough to handle, but they can add up quickly. Doing it all on your own can lead to intense mental fatigue and forgetfulness. If you have a partner, it’s time to divide and conquer. And if you’re a single parent, turn to your family and friends for help with your to-do list where possible.