Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it’s a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what’s behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do about it.

We’re talking about all the things that pile up: money worries, the constant rush, and that pressure to “do it all.” Plus, we dive into what parental burnout actually is (and why it’s not your fault) and share simple, science-backed tips to make life a little easier.

This isn’t just about managing parental stress—it’s about showing up for yourself and your kids in a healthier, more sustainable way. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in the demands of parenting, this episode is for you. It’s a conversation that matters—and one that can truly make a difference.

Listen and Learn: 

• What is parental stress, why it matters, and how we can lighten the load together?
• How can we turn overwhelming parental stress into something manageable?
• Parenting burnout is skyrocketing—what’s fueling it, and how can we reclaim balance in modern life?
• The pressures of modern parenting, how to find balance and break free from the stress.
• How working parents can shift from feeling torn between roles to using tension for enrichment
• What are the causes and consequences of parental burnout, and how driving awareness can help
• Why your well-being as a parent is crucial for your child's mental health, yet it's often overlooked—and learn how to break this unhelpful cycle
• How self-compassion and mindful check-ins can help ease your burnout and stress in daily life
• Supporting your child's autonomy to reduce parental burnout and strengthen your connections

Resources: 

• Yael’s website: https://www.yaelschonbrun.com/
• Connect with Yael on socials: 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/yael-schonbrun-a26a5229/
• http://x.com/DrYaelSchonbrun
• http://instagram.com/yaelschonbrun/
• Our Substack Q&A, Is Parent Stress Breaking News? Three Clinical Psychologists Discuss the Surgeon General’s New Advisory: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/is-parent-stress-breaking-news 

About Yael Schonbrun

Yael Schonbrun is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, author of Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much), past Psychologists Off the Clock co-host, and parent of three. In her research, private practice, and writing, Yael draws on science, philosophy, and clinical practices to share practices proven to foster healthier relationships between partners, parents and children, and between our most important life roles. Yael is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and her writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Greater Good Science Center, Behavioral Scientist, Tricycle, among others.

Related Episodes: 

• 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose
• 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with the AMAZING Emily Edlynn
• 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun
• 338. ACT for Burnout with Debbie! 
• 146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne
• 382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health 
• 379. Toxic Striving with Paula Freedman-Diamond 
• https://offtheclockpsych.com/be-mighty/
• 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard
• 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg
• 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz

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