Being a parent can be exhausting.
Burnout is a real thing, no matter if it’s caused by professional or personal pressures, or the immense social, financial and mental toll that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken.
If you’re a parent that feels like you’re nearing your wit’s end, Birdie Break, a Canadian on-demand babysitting service, wants you to know that it sees you, hears you, and feels you – and is here to help.
This is why it’s important to keep your mind open.Ful Here are some best practices to prevent parental burnout. Here are some tips and tricks to do this.
Recognize your burnout
Before you can take the necessary steps to help combat parental burnout, you first have to take the uncomfortable but necessary action of acknowledging it’s there. For many, admitting that you’re feeling worn down may feel like you’re a bad parent or not trying hard enough. However, this couldn’t be farther from the truth.
This is something that every parent experiences at some point. It is not shameful to admit that you are feeling low. Depending on your child’s age, parental burnout can be physical due to chasing your kid around the house or constantly watching them like a hawk.
But it could also be mental. For example, a child may crave more intellectual stimulation beyond Paw Patrol or Play-Doh or Paw Patrol, or feel less connected to them as they grow up.
Often, it’s a combination of both. Recognizing the fact that things are getting difficult is the first step to feeling better.
Take some time to yourself
Many parents feel that taking time away from their children is selfish, similar to acknowledging parental exhaustion. But again, wrong!
The desire to be alone is normal and valid. To be able to take care of others, we need to take care ourselves. Take the time to do something that you enjoy, regardless of how little it takes.
If you are unable to find someone to watch your child while you have time for yourself, let them do their own thing to show them the importance of being independent.
It’s never too early for kids to learn the importance and benefits of self-care.
Slash your schedule
Parenting is a complex task that involves managing many different tasks at once. From socializing to children’s activities to work and everything in between, commitments tend to pile up at the least convenient times.
If you feel overwhelmed by your chaotic calendar, it’s likely time to reevaluate. Take a moment to categorize and prioritize what matters most to you and let go of things that aren’t urgent or crucial.
It may mean missing that friend’s dinner or rain-checking on an extended family get-together. Even small sacrifices can provide relief in the short-term, and people who care about you will be able to understand.
Locate a venting location
First of all, complaining and venting do not go together. Venting is an entirely natural way to release bottled up stress. It’s possible to feel frustrated, exhausted, or defeated. It doesn’t make you less than – it makes you human.
Whether it’s a friend who’s also a parent, a family member, a counsellor, or an online forum, it can be incredibly cathartic to find a judgement-free venue to vent to ensure that you can release that pent-up stress without letting it fester or turn into resentment.
Get support
There’s truth in the saying, “it takes a village.” Whether you’re part of a big family or a single parent, having a solid support system is essential to ensure your and your child’s happiness.
Birdie Break was started in 2017 by Melanie Swerdan, a former auntie and favourite nanny, and CressidaRaffin, a mother who noticed that there wasn’t much reliable, safe, or accessible childcare available in the market. To rectify this need, Swerdan and Raffin sought to create what is being called the “Uber for Babysitting,” to help parents feel comfortable while providing a reliable and convenient avenue to childcare.
Birdie offers parents a safe and affordable option for babysitting.
Birdie Break is a great resource for information and recommendations.
