Copyright newsweek
A dad’s realization about the emotional toll of raising toddlers is resonating with parents across the internet. Joshua Lindsey-Harrison (@joshuatlindsey) wrote in a post on Threads: “Parents: Today I learned that Toddler Burnout is a real thing. And honestly I am NOT surprised.” Alongside the post, Lindsey-Harrison shared a screenshot defining the concept: “’Toddler burnout’ refers to the parental burnout associated with the intense demands of raising a toddler, leading to a state of chronic stress, exhaustion and emotional distance.” View on Threads Dr. Sasha Hall, senior education and child psychologist, told Newsweek the phenomenon is both real and increasingly common. “Toddler burnout as a very real experience for many families,” she said. “Toddlerhood is a period of rapid brain development. Young children have emerging emotional literacy and limited capacity for self-regulation, and they rely heavily on adults to co-regulate their emotions.” Simple events like getting the “wrong” snack or fruit cut differently can overwhelm toddlers because of their developing amygdala (a small part of the brain that acts like an emotional alarm, helping us quickly detect danger and respond to fear or stress) and immature executive functions. It’s not the meltdowns themselves, Hall added, but the relentless accumulation of them that takes a toll. Hall, who is also mom to two toddlers, explained that many parents are balancing work, childcare, domestic tasks and societal expectations around “perfect” parenting. “This constant emotional and practical load can understandably lead to exhaustion, stress, and emotional depletion,” she said. At the time of writing, Lindsey-Harrison’s post has received over 2,500 likes, and dozens of parents shared their experience with toddler burnout in the comments. “As a single dad, can confirm. The 2-4 age range was BRUTAL,” one user wrote. “Toddlers are the most unreasonable people of all time and it doesn’t matter if you have a plan or did the thing yesterday and they loved it. You are literally at their mercy and it is EXHAUSTING,” added a mom. “Yesterday my 3-year-old had a tantrum in the backseat because I turned on the heat instead of lighting an actual fire in the back of the car to keep her warm,” a third user commented. So, can parents avoid toddler burnout? According to Hall, the important thing to remember is toddler burnout is not a reflection of poor parenting. “While toddler burnout is common and understandable, there are ways to reduce risk,” she said. “Some parents have access to significant support networks while others are parenting largely on their own, so any considerations need to be realistic and compassionate.” She emphasizes that support can come in small, meaningful ways. Saying “yes” to someone offering to hold a door, carry a bag, or help with the stroller, can make a meaningful difference over time. Stock image: A tired single mother suffering from toddler burnout. “Toddler burnout is less about individual shortcomings,” Hall said. “[It’s] more about the sustained intensity of this developmental stage, combined with the need for compassion and realistic expectations for parents navigating it.”
