Parental burnout isn’t the same as feeling tired after a difficult day.
It’s an evidence-based psychological syndrome that can develop when the demands of parenting consistently outweigh the resources available to meet those demands.
In this episode, I’m exploring what parental burnout actually is, why ADHD and neurodivergent families may be at greater risk, and the hidden role that perfectionism can play in keeping us stuck. If you’ve ever found yourself thinking, “I don’t recognise the parent I’ve become,” this episode is for you.
In this episode, we explore:
- What parental burnout is (and how it’s different from everyday parenting stress)
- The four signs of parental burnout, based on the research of Professors Moïra Mikolajczak and Isabelle Roskam
- Why ADHD parents and parents of neurodivergent children may be particularly vulnerable
- How perfectionism quietly fuels parental burnout
- Three practical, evidence-informed ways to begin recovering from parental burnout
- Why support is scaffolding, not failure
If this conversation resonates, I hope you’ll remember one thing:
Parental burnout isn’t a sign you’ve failed your children. It’s often a sign you’ve been trying to be a good parent for too long without enough support.
🥘This episode also mentioned Simmer Eats – I’m not a paid affiliate, but genuinely a useful resource I treat myself to. As someone who knows that ADHD brains often struggle with meal planning, cooking and decision fatigue, I’m delighted to partner with Simmer Eats. Their high-protein, chef-made frozen meals have become a genuine staple in my freezer for those days when I need something nourishing without the mental load. You can save 50% off your first order using my link: www.simmereats.com/r/michaela-SJU
💛Free nervous system reset
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, constantly “on”, or like your nervous system never gets a chance to switch off, I’ve created a free guided Nervous System Reset to help you pause, regulate and reconnect with yourself. Join it here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/reset
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, constantly “on”, or like your nervous system never gets a chance to switch off, I’ve created a free guided Nervous System Reset to help you pause, regulate and reconnect with yourself. Join it here: www.thethomasconnection.co.uk/reset
If you found this episode helpful, I’d be so grateful if you could follow the podcast, leave a review, or share it with another parent who might need to hear that they’re not alone.
