Bumps SmittenAll parents feel burned out at one point or another. It is a fact that parenting can be quite exhausting, and you cannot escape this reality whether you like it or not.
The arrival of a new baby marks the beginning of many sleepless nights to the point that you lose track of days while you are busy taking care of your little one. Yes, you love your baby, and they bring joy to your life but admit it, it can still be quite exhausting!
Many parents hope that things will get less tiring as their baby grows. They hold on to this string of hope one month after another only to realize that there is no end to this tunnel of exhaustion.
So, when does parenting get less exhausting anyway? Is it even possible?
Sadly, it may take some time before you feel less exhausted with your parenting journey. It is never a simple walk in the park, particularly when you have a newborn even if they just stay in one spot and spend long hours sleeping. But the moment your baby starts moving and grows, things can get more draining on your part.
The various stages of a baby’s growth and development have their own perks. However, when your baby has more movements and becomes more independent, you also need to run around more.
If you don’t want to lose hope that it will eventually become less exhausting for you as a parent, continue to read on to learn when it might happen.
When are the Most Exhausting Parenting Years?
When it comes to parenting, hard and exhausting don’t go together all the time. There are times when the most exhausting years of being a parent are not automatically the hardest.
The initial two years of being a parent can be safely considered as the most tiring. This is the phase of night feeds and a toddler who constantly learns to interact with their environment, moves around on their own, and shows off their newly discovered independence.
But while these are the most exhausting years, the harder years come the moment your child starts going to school and explores the bigger world all by themselves. Your child is no longer in your tiny cocoon and will be exposed to some bad and negative things associated with venturing out on their own.
Although the baby years are considered the most exhausting stage, things don’t really get easier from thereon. While you might get long hours of sleep at night, it is still possible that you will also deal with more emotional stress and the need to give your child some independence in working through the world by themselves.
What are the Hardest Parts of the Baby Stage?
A lot of new parents agree that the hardest is the newborn stage. Moms have just undergone childbirth and must deal with their own recovery while taking care of their newborn who wakes up a lot in the middle of the night.
But this stage is quite easy compared to what awaits you in the near future. Yes, all those night feeds might rob you of your sleep. However, this is also the time when your baby spends most hours sleeping while staying put in just one spot.
Most parents claim that the toddler stage is the hardest baby stage between the age of 18 months and 2 years old. While it is considered the cutest age, it is a trick of nature to ensure that you don’t end up surrendering to your little cuties at this most exhausting stage.
Toddlers who are around this age also tend to throw tantrums, fight against things you ask them to do, get into things they shouldn’t get into, and avoid sleeping to wake up more at night.
Keeping your cool at this baby stage isn’t easy, especially when you combine it with the fact that you are downright tired.
You spend your days running after your toddler while nights turn into an almost endless bedtime routine. Once they finally fall asleep, you are just too tired to even spend time with your partner or on yourself.
It is definitely the stage that most parents consider the hardest, but the absolute cuteness of their babies seems to make up for it.
How to Deal with Parenting Burnout and Exhaustion
While parenting doesn’t really get less exhausting anytime soon, there are a few things you can do once you start feeling burned out.
Don’t Hesitate to Seek Help
There are many parents who are shy to ask for help because they feel that they should do everything by themselves without seeking assistance from anyone.
But as the adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child and you don’t have to do it alone. Don’t feel bad to ask for a helping hand, whether it is from your partner, your family, or even your friends.
Having someone look after your baby even for just an hour in the afternoon is enough for you to rest and recharge. Use this precious time to pamper and reconnect with the real you instead of yourself as a mom.
Remember Your Worth
New parents deal with all sorts of pressure as social media show picture-perfect parenting all day and all night long. Never compare yourself to these ideas and images that are not just unrealistic but only show half of the entire story.
It is enough if do your best. Being a caring and consistent parent who is always there for your little one is more than good enough. Cut yourself some slack and remember your worth and value as a person.
Practice Self-Care
Being a new parent can easily rob you of your me-time. Unfortunately, slipping out of your old routine will only worsen your burnout, especially when you no longer connect with your old self.
Always practice self-care every chance you get. Read a book before you sleep or continue with your usual skincare regimen. These simple things can go a long way to keep exhaustion at bay.
Every Stage Has Its Own Challenges
There is no such thing as a specific stage of parenting that can be considered the hardest or easiest. All stages have their own set of challenges. It’s tough to be a parent and it is not something for the faint of heart. But all the happy moments and great milestones will surely outweigh all that exhaustion.
