Ep #134: Preventing parenting burnout

Are you feeling burnt-out as a parent? Is that burnout affecting your relationship with your family?  Parental burnout is more common today than previously due to many factors that previous generations didn't have to deal with.  Parenting has changed and raising kids isn't always easy. All parents struggle at some point with feeling overwhelmed, dealing with communication or behavior struggles. When we feel burnt-out as a parent, it can cause us to become emotionally distant from our family. It can lead us to not finding happiness in being a parent. It can lead to us feeling isolated and alone. It can make us feel unsupported. It's important when we are struggling as a parent to be able to reach out and connect with someone else. To build a community that supports and lifts us when we are feeling overwhelmed. This community could include your partner, family members, friends, or neighbors. If you are one of those parents who feel that you are doing it all and that you're getting no support from your kids, we recommend implementing Preventive Teaching. Preventive Teaching helps parents set expectations of what they expect, shows kids how to do it, and lays out the rewards and consequences if they do or don't do the behavior. Children need expectations. They thrive when they know what is expected of them as they learn how to navigate the world around them. Without teaching them what to do, it's hard to expect them to know what you want them to do. Having expectations and then following through with rewards and consequences will strengthen your relationship with your child. When a child acts out, often it is because they are seeking an emotional connection. It's their way of asking, "Are you there? Do you love me? Are you still going to love me when I mess up?" Parenting is a hard job. We at SmarterParenting.com are here to support you. We want you to feel empowered and confident in your parenting abilities. You can do it. You are not alone!