January 20, 2023
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tips & tricks for growth
don’t let burnout takeover, enjoy your parenthood journey
BY MITCHELL QUALLS
🤭I have a confession to make: I’ve been stressed and exhausted many times. I’ve felt burned out and ready to quit, but not from work obligations – from being a parent.
Parenting is tough. It’s demanding. Before our son was born 10 years ago, I recall people telling me everything would change. I don’t remember anyone telling me I’d be taking 2AM walks to stay sane. No one told me there would be days I’d question whether I could continue. The list of things I wish I’d known then is long.
Parental burnout is a real thing, but don’t get me wrong – I wouldn’t trade being a dad for anything. Researchers Hubert and Aujoulat found that “parental burnout results from situations where exhaustion occurs as a result of being physically and emotionally overwhelmed by one’s parental role.”
If you’ve been a parent for at least a couple of hours, you know that parenting stress is real. But when it consumes you, burnout sets in. There’s hope, though. You can stop the cycle of parental burnout.
👉 The stress isn’t going anywhere, but there are some healthy ways to lessen the pressure.
taking care of yourself while caring for others
Have you ever felt like you’ve cared so much you just can’t anymore? Like you’re exhausted from taking care of others?😰 Even if you’ve never heard of compassion fatigue, you may be familiar with what it is. Maybe more familiar than you’d like.
What is compassion fatigue?!
Psychologist Charles Figley says it’s “a state of exhaustion and dysfunction, biologically, physiologically and emotionally, as a result of prolonged exposure to compassion stress.” In essence, it’s feeling like you have no more empathy to give…
Let’s face it: Life can be downright draining.
🤕 The root of compassion fatigue is in caring for others. It would be easy to confuse compassion fatigue with burnout, but they’re a bit different.
So, how can you take proper steps to care for yourself too?
let’s get REALatable
It’s time to take things a step further & get a little intimate with a Q&A. What do you say?😉 Learn a little bit about the faces behind all of this relationship gold. This week we’re chatting with James Woods, husband to Marquita, dad of 6, and the Community Outreach Specialist here at First Things First. Let’s get REALatable💛 & learn a little bit about him:
Q: What’s a hidden talent of yours?
A: 🕺Some might not know that I really love to dance! I’ve been performing for years– In my dancing days, I even opened up for Destiny’s Child (*Gasp*), modeled clothes and performed in tons of talent shows.
Q: Least favorite type of food?
A: 🥦 I’m a picky eater and I don’t like broccoli. Even the smell of it really bothers me! Sorry, I know you need your greens but I’m definitely working on eating them more.
Q: Who’s made a big impact on you and why?
A: ✨ T.D. Jakes has really made a strong impact on me! The delivery of his messages are powerful and have helped me through a lot of tough times!
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