What is burnout?
When we’re busy or overwhelmed, it’s natural to experience stress. However, there are different types of stress, including general stress, burnout, and parental burnout.
Generally, those who are simply stressed can see a light at the end of the tunnel and believe they’ll feel better once they get everything under control. But when the pressure is unrelenting, burnout can set in, leaving us feeling unable to cope.
Parental burnout is a specific type of burnout that directly affects those in the role of a parent. It can lead to mental and physical exhaustion, feelings of ineffectiveness, and uncertainty about one’s ability to parent effectively.
This type of burnout is more common among working parents. While research on the subject is inconclusive, some suggest that parental burnout has a limited impact on work performance and can even lead to a renewed appreciation for one’s job, renewed engagement, and satisfaction.
However, other research suggests that the symptoms of parental burnout can spill over into other areas of life and negatively impact work performance.