The Stressed Parent Epidemic

In the 2022 martial arts dramedy Everything Everywhere All at Once, Evelyn Quan Wang is a middle-aged wife, mother and businesswoman with a lot on her plate.

The laundromat she owns is being audited by the IRS, her husband serves her with divorce papers, her hard-to-please father is visiting and her daughter, Joy, suffers from depression.

If you feel stressed like Evelyn, you’re not alone. The American Psychological Association reports that 41% of parents say they are so stressed they can’t function most days.

That’s because, compared to previous generations, moms and dads work more hours, childcare is more expensive and parents are spending more time with their children. In fact, time with dad has increased 154% since 1985! Several studies also report that 23% of parents are raising children and simultaneously caring for an aging parent.

Pile on worries about kids’ mental health, the loneliness epidemic, social media use and school safety concerns, and it’s no wonder parents are stressed.

The problem with that stress is that it’s bad for your health and your child’s. A study published by the National Institutes of Health found that if caregivers have poor mental health, their children are more likely to have poor overall health, mental health and behavioral disorders.

So, what can we do to improve our well-being and our children’s?

• Don’t overschedule your life. Between work, family meals and other activities, consider that you’ll have to say “no” to some events and activities. Being too rushed or spending more money than expected on this will only add to your stress.
• Ask for help or talk to a friend, especially if they’re a parent, too. It’s okay to vent or ask someone to help you when you’re feeling overwhelmed.
• Make time to relax, recharge and reconnect with your partner. Remember, you’re in this together!
• Talk to your kids if they seem worried or stressed to let them know it’s okay to discuss those feelings.
• Be kind to yourself. Carve out daily time for walks, reading, exercise and relaxation techniques like yoga or meditation. You deserve it!
• Limit exposure to stressful things, such as doomscrolling on social media. Instead, focus on the positive or channel your stress into something productive, like cleaning to regain a sense of control.
• If you’re still struggling with stress, anxiety or depression, consider reaching out to a free, 24/7 helpline such as The National Parent Helpline (855-427-2736) or Parents Helping Parents (800-632-8188).

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