238: Feeling exhausted and overwhelmed? Tools to help you cope

Your Parenting Mojo - Respectful, research-based parenting ideas to help kids thrive

Feeling Overwhelmed by Parenting Stress? You’re Not Alone. If you’re exhausted, stretched too thin, and struggling with the stress of parenting, you’re not the only one. Many parents—especially mothers—find themselves running on empty, constantly trying to meet everyone’s needs while their own go unnoticed. Parenting stress can leave you feeling frustrated, drained, and even angry at your kids, whom you love so much. In this episode, we’re unpacking why parenting can feel like too much and what we can do about it. We’ll explore the hidden pressures that push parents toward burnout, the unrealistic expectations we place on ourselves, and small shifts that can help you feel more supported, more present, and less overwhelmed by the daily stress of parenting.

Questions this episode will answer

• Why does parenting feel so much harder than I expected?
• Is it normal to feel resentful or emotionally drained from the stress of parenting?
• Am I an angry parent? Is this just who I am?
• How can I take care of myself when my kids need me all the time?
• Why do I feel guilty when I set boundaries or ask for help?
• What small, doable changes can I make to feel more balanced and present?

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why so many parents feel like they’re drowning—and why it’s not your fault
• What’s really behind that constant exhaustion and frustration
• Practical ways to lighten the load without adding more to your to-do list
• How small mindset shifts can make parenting feel less overwhelming
• How to recognize when parenting stress is turning you into an angry parent—and what to do about it

This isn’t about striving for perfection or forcing yourself to do more. It’s about finding simple, meaningful ways to care for yourself while still showing up for your family. Parental Burnout Quiz Here's the quiz mentioned in the episode: https://en.burnoutparental.com/suis-je-en-burnout If you snap at your kids more often than you'd like... If your anger seems to come out of nowhere, and you can't stop it... If you've promised your kids you won't yell at them as much, but keep on doing it... ...the Taming Your Triggers workshop will help. Sign up for the waitlist and we'll let you know once enrollment re-opens. Click the image below to learn more.

Core episodes we reviewed

• 111: Parental Burn Out
• 130: Introduction to mindfulness and meditation with Diana Winston
• 122: Self-compassion for Parents
• 186: How to meet your needs with Mara Glatzel
• SYPM 009: How to Set Boundaries in Parenting

Other episodes referenced

• 193: You don't have to believe everything you think
• 121: How to support your perfectionist child
• 017: Don't bother trying to increase your child's self-esteem

Jump to highlights 02:21 Introduction of episode 04:05 Four key symptoms of parental burnout 05:00 Factors why the parents in some countries burnout more than others. 06:02 Kelly's burnout experience 08:55 Cortisol level on burnout parent 09:28 Important risk factors for burnout 11:30 The roles of societal expectations on parents 12:58 Personal strategies to address burnout 13:37 Mindfulness awareness 20:25 Self-compassion for parents 21:43 Parents debilitating perfectionism 24:20 Strategy for achieving self-compassion 25:54 Introduction on parental neediness 29:33 The common barrier to prioritize needs 31:31 Need that often get neglected 34:50 Difference between boundaries and limits 38:36 Why we default to limit so much 39:59 What happens when parents don’t set boundaries 43:13 Reasons why parents feel overwhelmed 49:00 Ideas to bring out to life