1909: Parental Burnout with Young Adults is Real by Dr. Jack Stoltzfus of Parents Letting Go on Mental Health For Parents
Sep 28, 2023
12:33
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Dr. Jack Stoltzfus discusses parental burnout with young adults, providing tips for self-care and strategies for dealing with the challenges of parenting older children. He emphasizes the importance of understanding, patience, and unwavering love for young adults while prioritizing one's own mental health as a parent.
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Quick takeaways
Parental burnout can occur at any age and it is important to differentiate between burnout and depression.
To combat parental burnout, challenging beliefs about control, engaging in self-care activities, seeking support, and setting boundaries are crucial.
Deep dives
Parental Burnout: The Stress of Parenting Young Adults
Parental burnout can occur at any age, not just with parents of young children. The stress of raising children, especially when things are not going well, can lead to overwhelming work and family demands. Differentiating between burnout and depression is important. The inability to control or influence young adults can be a significant source of stress for parents. Being patient and understanding that this phase will pass is crucial. Taking care of oneself, seeking support from friends and professionals, and practicing self-care activities like meditation and yoga can benefit both parents and young adults.
Actions to Combat Parental Burnout
To combat parental burnout, it is important to challenge certain beliefs or assumptions that contribute to unhappiness and burnout, such as the belief that parents can control their young adults' actions and decisions. Engaging in activities that reduce exhaustion and improve well-being, like exercise, adequate rest, and reducing sugar, caffeine, and alcohol consumption, is essential. Guarding the marriage relationship and seeking support from friends, other parents, or professionals are recommended. Learning to let go and practicing good breathing techniques can help manage anxiety. Setting limits and saying no are also important for maintaining personal values and boundaries.
Navigating Parenting Young Adults
Parenting young adults can be challenging, as parents may feel a loss of control and influence over their children's decisions. However, it is important to maintain open communication and express love and concern for their welfare. Understanding that our children are navigating uncharted territory and offering understanding and patience can create a strong foundation for their growth. Parental self-care and mental health are also crucial for effective parenting. Recognizing the emotional exhaustion of parenting older children is essential, as their choices carry more weight and cannot always be shielded from life's challenges.
Dr. Jack Stoltzfus talks about parental burnout with young adults
Episode 1909: Parental Burnout with Young Adults is Real by Dr. Jack Stoltzfus of Parents Letting Go on Mental Health For Parents
Dr. Stoltzfus’ mission is to provide information, education, guidance and resources to parents of young adults who are struggling to launch or let go while maintaining a positive, caring relationship with their young adult. More today than ever before parents of young adults are trying to determine the best approach to aiding their young adults in their challenges of identity, independence, and intimacy without either contributing to their dependency or their alienation.
For more than thirty-five years, Dr. Stoltzfus has worked with parents and their young adult children within the context of a chemical dependency treatment program, an inpatient mental health facility, a Child Guidance Clinic, a youth service agency, and a private practice. Originally Dr. Stoltzfus was trained as a marriage and family therapist working with parents and their adolescent children. Now his practice is focused on parents of emerging adults — millennials and the next generation of soon-to-be young adults.