Parents

Navigating parenthood without losing ourselves

As parents, we sometimes feel utterly drained—physically and emotionally. The endless demands of parenting can leave us overwhelmed, and at times, we may even feel distant or disconnected from our children. On top of that, there’s the painful sense that we’re not the parent we hoped to be, or the one we once were.

If this feels familiar, you’re not alone. These are signs of what’s now known as parental burnout—a very real and growing condition that comes from chronic parenting stress.

And it doesn’t look the same for every family. A single parent may feel the constant weight of carrying it all alone. Parents in larger or extended families may face the stress of juggling many relationships and responsibilities under one roof. Others may feel torn between parenting, work, and caring for aging relatives. Whatever the situation, the pressure can build in different ways—but the emotional toll is equally real.

While connection and emotional support should always be a priority, there is also value in investing time in self-care practices that strengthen our well-being when we most need it. Techniques like EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) and Havening can be used on your own to ease stress in the moment, or with a certified practitioner who can provide a safe space to express and make sense of difficult emotions, understand why parenting so often pushes your buttons, and learn gentler, healthier ways to respond.

Using these techniques comes with a wonderful bonus: when you manage your stress in healthy ways, you model resilience for your children. By showing them how to face challenges calmly, you help them develop the strong, adaptable mindset they’ll carry into their own lives.