How to Recognize and Combat Single Parent Burnout
For single parents, burnout is a real and inevitable problem that can be hard to recognize and even harder to address. As a single parent, you’re pulled in multiple directions, and you’re often the only one providing support for your family. This can be especially difficult when you are trying to parent in a different way so that you can break from unhelpful generational patterns and be mindful of your parenting approach.
Parenting is often challenging and draining even when there are lots of available resources and multiple caregivers. For single parents, it’s exponentially harder. There is no one to tag in who can take some of the load off. Between your own needs, the demands of your working life, and the stresses of life in general, it is essential to build as much of a support system around you as you can.
Take Time Away
When you’re a single parent, it can be very difficult to find the time and space away from parenting and daily life to tend to yourself. But any amount of self-care can protect against burnout. There are many ways to fill this bucket; the key is to find what reliably works for you and your specific circumstances.
Therapy
Many people find solace in therapy. It can be very helpful to talk to a professional and get insight into how to cope with the challenges of single parenthood. For example, when you start feeling completely overwhelmed, a therapist can provide you with the tools and resources to get through it. Your therapist will be able to help you recognize the signs of burnout so that you can head it off before it becomes a problem.
Parental Help
Others may find help from family or close friends who can watch their child for a few hours so they have time to tend to themselves. This is helpful for single parents who want to take a break from parenting, but don’t have access to the same resources as parents with partners. The parent and the child then have a support system in their family or friend group.
Some also rely heavily on outside help, such as daycare, after-school care, a nanny, or a babysitter. This is if they have the financial means. Having others to help you with the load can be invaluable and make a huge difference. It can help you feel supported and prevent you from feeling burned out.
It's important to Tend to All Aspects of Yourself
When it comes to tending to yourself, this includes the emotional and physical aspects. This can mean taking time for yourself to connect with nature, go for walks, or just get away from the house. It's important to move your body but not necessarily by going to the gym unless that's something you enjoy doing. Going for a walk in nature or to the local park can help you regulate your nervous system and give you time to yourself.
It also helps you to reset and expand your capacity of showing up for your child. If you are feeling burnt out, you're not going to be able to show up for your child in the best way possible. You'll feel more drained and your parenting may suffer.
Head Off Burn Out Before You Experience It
Heading off burnout before it happens can help you grow in your ability to show up for your child. You can do this by getting creative in finding ways to show up for your child. This could be resources for childcare and yourself. For instance, your child could stay with a family member while you take the time to restore and take care of yourself.
Learning to ask for help is also key. ALL parents need to learn how to do this. It doesn't have to be and you shouldn't have to wait until it's a crisis. Building a muscle to sense when you are already heading down that road and to stay in front of the burnout. This way you make plans ahead of time for how you can take care of yourself and your children.
INTERESTED IN ONLINE THERAPY IN CALIFORNIA?
As a single parent, having support from others can make a huge difference. From helping you out with childcare to providing emotional support, having a tribe of people who understand and can help you out is invaluable. Online therapy in California can help you find support from an online therapist when you have time and space. A therapist can provide you with the tools and resources to cope with the challenges of single parenthood. You can learn how to recognize the signs of burnout so that you can head it off before it becomes a problem. To get started with online therapy and/or online postpartum support groups, simply follow the steps below.
Learn more about us and Online Therapy in California.
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OTHER SERVICES WHOLE MOTHER THERAPY OFFERS
Our Pasadena-based online therapy practice offers a broad range of mental health services because we know that each individual has had unique life experiences that deserve personalized care. Services include individual therapy for new parents, postpartum anxiety treatment, therapy for birth trauma, therapy for infant & pregnancy loss, postpartum depression support, marriage counseling or couples therapy for new parents, counseling for parental burnout and overwhelm, and online therapy in California for new and expecting parents.
We also offer an eight-week in-person Sacred Motherhood Circle to honor the transitions and transformations of motherhood. And we hold several support groups, including an online pregnancy support group and an online postpartum support group. Finally, you can read more about our services, values, and resources on our therapy blog.