Easing Overwhelm in the Family:
There’s No Place Like Home

We all can get overwhelmed occasionally, largely due to the demands of everyday life weighing upon us. There are many things to do and accomplish to keep up. In the chaotic world you live in, there is a place of refuge where peace and serenity reside, a place where you can find comfort and re-energize to prepare for future challenges – your home.

What if you walk through your home and instead you feel like you’re walking amid chaos? It can be the bills piling up, clutter, the floor needing a mopping, heaps of laundry, or your toddler crying. In between, there may be school projects to get done, meals to cook, a house to clean, and children to get ready for school.  Add to these yet more stressors like relationship conflict, sibling rivalry, or other home obligations, and you have a recipe for overwhelm.  

It’s a common mistake to believe that you can do it all, however, we can be left feeling guilty when we say no. It can be hard to know what to do, therapy can help. 

Parenting Burnout

You are not alone!  Many parents feel overwhelmed and overburdened by the relentless stream of obligations and pressures at home. The fatigue that accompanies parenthood may not always be easy or something you’re excited about.  It is, nevertheless, a legitimate daily struggle for many parents. This is a recipe for burnout. 

Overwhelm can come in different forms, but is not limited to physical exhaustion, boredom, frustration, burnout and feeling defeated. Parenthood is inherently challenging; however, the responsibility can leave you feeling powerless, hopeless and unable to find solutions.

Parenting in the Modern Age

Modern-day parents are under so much pressure to provide a good home for their children.  On top of this, social media can create images that do not truly depict what families are going through daily.  Family counselors suggest that the key to being a “good parent” is the demonstration of care, love, and support for your children. You don’t have to be a superhero.

Trying to provide the best experience for your children can be overwhelming. It is important to take a break and have some time for yourself. Achieving a balance between fulfilling the needs of your family and taking care of yourself can prove beneficial for all.

Parenting is one of the most challenging and time-consuming roles a person can have. On top of attending to the daily needs of your children, there are generally other responsibilities you are likely accountable for. While doing this, it may also be challenging to maintain a strong relationship with your partner and to maintain a social life with friends. It is understandable to become overwhelmed by the enormity of this.

The Quest of Trying to Be the Perfect Parent

The pressure to be a perfect parent can sometimes backfire, as the desire to be flawless can actually weaken your parenting skills. There is no shame in admitting you may need more hands to meet the demands of everything at home.

Constant bickering in the family can be a struggle, as you try to maintain peace in your household. You can feel your energy rapidly draining when having to deal with all of this on top of everything else.

Added to this, you and your spouse may not have the same parenting style. If you are separated or divorced, communication about your children may often be argumentative. When confronted with stressful family issues, it is not uncommon to feel emotionally and physically overwhelmed. Feeling overwhelmed is an internal sign that serves as a reminder that you may be doing too much. It is important to slow down when you need to. If not, anxiety and depression may not be far behind.

Counseling to Treat Overwhelm

Feeling overwhelmed, whether physically or emotionally, can lead to many health problems, such as body pains, hypertension, heart disease, ulcers, overeating, etc. Trying to fulfill your responsibilities and taking on more than you can, will likely lead to a decreased effectiveness in how you run your home.  A major problem that can arise when we are overwhelmed is feeling that you can’t cut back. Once you find yourself in this vicious cycle you may lose the energy to bring the change necessary to make things better.

If you are feeling overwhelmed and helpless, you are not alone. Many families are experiencing the same challenges.  While you cannot completely remove all the stressors in your home, you can certainly make it better. This can be difficult to do on your own, counseling can help. 

Finding a therapist that is right for you is easy with Carolina Counseling Services – Sanford, NC. CCS contracts with therapists who know how to tackle overwhelm and prevent burnout. Call today to schedule your first appointment.

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