Parental burnout is widespread. The Ohio State University College of Nursing released a study in May 2024 on this issue. Researchers anonymously surveyed 700 parents nationwide in 2023, and 57% of participants reported burnout from parenting.
The study defined “parental burnout” as a state in which “the pressures of parenting lead to chronic stress and exhaustion that overwhelm a parent’s ability to cope and function.” They found that internal and societal expectations to be the “perfect parent” were what led to the physical, mental and emotional burnout.
Main factors included whether we feel as if we’re good parents, the judgment we perceive from others, the amount of time we have to play with our children, our relationships with our spouse and, of course, our ability to keep a clean house.
These expectations threaten to steal, kill and destroy the joy of parenthood for us. (John 10:10).
What are God’s expectations?
- “[L]ove the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 6:5)
- “[T]each [God’s Word] diligently to your children” (Deuteronomy 6:7, also 11:19)
- “Train up a child in the way he should go” (Proverbs 22:6)
- “Do not withhold discipline from a child” (Proverbs 23:13, 29:17, also Ephesians 6:4)
- “[A] child left to himself brings shame” (Proverbs 29:15)
- “[D]o not provoke your children to anger” (Ephesians 6:4)
- “[P]rovide for … members of [your] household” if able (1 Timothy 5:8)
There is nothing here about being perfect. God does not call or expect us to be perfect parents. (John 3:16). God has unburdened us on this point. (Matthew 11:28-30).
Instead, we’re called to instruct and lead our children from a position of love. “[L]et us love” and “show[] compassion to [our] children” as we train, discipline, and provide for them. (1 John 4:7, 11, 21; Psalm 103:13).
We will not lead perfectly, but in our imperfect efforts to bond with our children, as Paul, Jesus’ disciple, wrote, our “love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8-10).
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