Exhausted woman lying face down on a bed

We can help with

Parental Burnout

Burnout is most often talked about in relation to the workplace - people feeling burnt-out by occupations like nursing, social work, teaching. A lot of research has gone into looking at jobs that are likely to experience burnout, but we know that burnout can impact parents too.

Parental burnout is a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion resulting from the relentless demands of caregiving, often compounded by sleep deprivation, lack of support, and societal pressures to be the "perfect" parent. It can manifest as feelings of overwhelming fatigue, detachment from one’s child, irritability, and a sense of helplessness or failure. Unlike typical parenting stress, burnout is more severe and can lead to anxiety, depression, and even resentment toward the parenting role. Without intervention, it can strain relationships, affect overall well-being, and diminish a parent's ability to respond sensitively to their child's needs. Seeking support—whether from a partner, family, friends, or professionals—along with prioritizing rest, self-care, and realistic expectations, can help parents recover and maintain their mental health while navigating the challenges of raising children.

Articles about Parental Burnout

Talk to someone who understands

Our perinatal psychologists support parents with this every day, by telehealth across Australia, and you can book online. Eligible sessions are bulk-billed with a GP Mental Health Treatment Plan and referral, or a referral from a psychiatrist or paediatrician.

How fees and bulk billing work
  • PANDA Helpline

    1300 726 306

    Free national helpline for parents and expecting parents struggling with their mental health.

  • Lifeline

    13 11 14

    24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention.

  • Emergency

    Call 000

    If you or anyone else is in immediate danger, or you're worried you might act on a thought to harm yourself or someone else.

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