Acknowledge that parenting is a hard and important job, and it’s okay to struggle, feel lonely, or not always like parenting. This helps combat the profound guilt and shame many parents experience, which can be a significant barrier to well-being.
Recognize that online portrayals of parenting are not representative of reality and can make you feel alone or falling short. Do not believe what you see online, as it often hides the struggles many parents face.
Start conversations with other parents about common struggles, such as managing screen time or phone requests. This helps open floodgates, revealing that many parents share similar challenges and reducing feelings of isolation.
Engage in small acts of kindness, like offering to watch a child for 10-15 minutes or supporting parent-owned businesses. This helps other parents feel seen and not alone, while also empowering you and forging community bonds.
Invite other families over, even if your house is chaotic or messy, emphasizing that the company is more important than a tidy environment. This helps normalize the reality of family life and encourages others to foster community.
Sign up for the free online Yale happiness course, ‘The Science of Well-Being for Parents,’ to access actionable strategies for reducing stress, burnout, and protecting mental health. This resource is available at drlorisantos.com/parents.
Employers should implement policies and programs that actively support parents, recognizing that their well-being is vital for both their families and society. This prevents burnout among caregivers and ensures the health of the next generation.
Provide flexible hours for school events and comprehensive paid sick leave for when children are ill, allowing parents to fulfill family responsibilities without guilt or financial penalty. This reduces stress and anticipatory anxiety for parents.
Employers should select insurance plans that include strong mental health care coverage for employees and their families. This is crucial given the youth mental health crisis and its impact on parents.
Create an environment where parents feel comfortable sharing aspects of their family life and challenges at work without fear of being perceived as weak or unreliable. This promotes a more human and supportive workplace culture and reduces stress.
As an employer, clearly communicate that parenthood is not a handicap or a strike against an employee, but rather valued for the diverse perspectives and efficient time management skills parents often bring. This helps alleviate fear among employees considering starting a family.
Governments should implement policies like a long-term child tax credit and paid sick leave to alleviate the significant financial challenges and difficult choices parents face. This is a powerful strategy for lifting families out of poverty and reducing stress.
Governments should enact safety standards to protect children from harmful content and addictive features on social media, and ensure transparent access to data on platform impacts. This helps mitigate a top stressor for modern parents.
Governments should fund and develop policies, programs, and physical structures that enable people, especially parents, to gather and build relationships. This counteracts the decline in community participation and helps combat loneliness.
Local governments and community leaders should develop and maintain parks, green spaces, and community events that are inclusive and scheduled at times compatible with parents’ schedules (e.g., late afternoon weekend concerts). This provides invaluable places for families to gather and foster community.
Local organizations and governments can help sponsor or organize gatherings, such as ‘Recipes for Connection’ potlucks, to help people overcome anxieties about hosting and build community around shared experiences like food and physical activity. This fosters powerful bonds and support for parents.