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Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby is a licensed psychologist, licensed marriage and family therapist, board-certified coach, AAMFT clinical supervisor, host of the Love, Happiness, and Success Podcast and founder of Growing Self.
Have you ever had one of those mornings where you’re prepping for an important work milestone, juggling a million to-dos and chores, and trying to get the kids out the door with lunches packed and shoes on the right feet? Yeah… same. Life can feel like one big game of Whac-a-Mole leaving us silently begging for a solid work-life balance and direction on how to steer clear of the parental burnout that’s staring us right in the face..
In this episode of the Love, Happiness, and Success podcast, I sat down with Sarah Armstrong, author of The Art of the Juggling Act, to talk about the real-deal struggle of parental burnout and how to find work-life balance as a parent.
So grab a cup of lukewarm coffee you forgot you made, and let’s get into the questions you’re probably Googling at 2 a.m.
What Is Parental Burnout and How Do I Know If I Have It?
Parental burnout isn’t just being tired—it’s that bone-deep exhaustion where your brain short-circuits at the sound of one more snack request. It’s the emotional version of your phone flashing 1% battery and no charger in sight.
You’re likely experiencing parental burnout if:
- You feel physically and emotionally drained most days.
- You’re constantly doing everything—and still feel like you’re dropping the ball.
- You can’t remember the last time you had fun (or sat down).
And guess what? This isn’t a personal failure. It’s a systems issue. Most of us were handed the baby and the career plan with zero instructions on how to juggle both without lighting ourselves on fire.
How Can I Find Work-Life Balance as a Parent?
First off, let’s toss the word “balance” out the window and replace it with something real: alignment. Work-life balance doesn’t mean giving every area of your life an equal slice of time—it means getting clear on what matters most right now and building your life around that.
Sarah and I talked about how:
- You can say no to promotions or PTA committees if they don’t fit your current life season.
- Protecting time with your kids—or for yourself—isn’t selfish, it’s strategic.
- Being present doesn’t require you to be perfect. Your “good enough” is more than enough.
Balance is not a math equation. It’s a mindset and a values-based decision. That’s the kind of emotional math that adds up to peace.
What Causes Parental Burnout (Besides Literally Everything)?
Short answer: It’s the mental load, the lack of boundaries, and the feeling like you’re never doing enough. Oh, and the 2,001 unread school emails.
Longer answer: Parental burnout stems from chronic overwhelm—when your daily energy output consistently exceeds your energy input. It’s like trying to run a marathon while assembling IKEA furniture and being asked what’s for dinner.
Here’s what we can do:
Start a “Sunday List.” Write down non-urgent to-dos during the week. Then knock them out in a power hour over the weekend instead of letting them haunt your dreams nightly.
Set boundaries (and tell people about them). If your “Grace Time” is 6–8 p.m., block it on your calendar like a CEO. Because you are one.
Build your compartmentalization muscle. Work brain off, home brain on. Your laptop can live in a closet for a few hours. I promise it won’t miss you.
Clarity and Confidence
in 8 Weeks? Yes, You Can.
You’re ready for growth and motivated to create real change — and here’s the good news: You don’t have to do it alone.
With Clarity & Confidence Coaching,
you’ll work one-on-one with an experienced therapist, trained in evidence-based coaching psychology at a fraction of the cost. It’s an affordable, empowering way to create meaningful, lasting change.
How Can I Recharge When I’m Totally Depleted?
Listen: Scrolling TikTok with dead eyes while eating pretzels out of the bag is not self-care (even though I’ve absolutely done that). Recharging isn’t indulgent—it’s a requirement.
You can’t pour from an empty cup, and you certainly can’t parent or work from one either.
Sarah and I both agree to find some work-life balance:
- Give yourself one small treat per week. A walk, a quiet lunch alone, a trashy novel. Whatever fills your cup—make space for it.
- Prioritize sleep, movement, and nutrition like your mental health depends on it (because it does).
- Reframe self-care as survival, not luxury.
What If I Just Can’t Do It All?
Spoiler alert: No one can.
If your ambition exceeds your capacity, you might need to reconsider your commitments, not your competence. Sarah shared that during her divorce, she turned down a big promotion—not because she wasn’t capable, but because she knew her daughter needed her more. That kind of decision-making takes clarity and courage.
You can do amazing things in life. Just not all at once. You are not failing—you are prioritizing.
How Do I Deal with “Mom Guilt” or Feeling Like I’m Not a Real Parent?
The myth of the “real mom” (or dad, or caregiver) is a lie designed to make you feel bad about not baking gluten-free, dinosaur-shaped muffins from scratch at 5 a.m.
Real parenting is showing up, even imperfectly. It’s being emotionally present, even when your hair’s wet and you forgot to sign the field trip form.
You don’t have to do everything. Find the work-life balance. Pick one thing, and do it well. (Sarah’s was Valentine’s Day. Jello hearts and all.) The kids won’t remember that you missed the bake sale. They’ll remember that you were there when it counted.
Okay, I Get It. Now What?
If you’re nodding your head, wiping a tear, or mentally reviewing your Sunday list right now—here’s what I want you to know:
You don’t have to figure this all out on your own.
Our Clarity and Confidence Coaching program is designed to help amazing humans like you create sustainable change. If you’re feeling burned out, exhausted, and stretched to your limit, this is your sign to get support. Our next cohort is starting very soon and space is limited. You’ll work with a therapist-coach who gets it—and who can help you make real change that sticks.
👉 Learn more and reserve your spot now at GrowingSelf.com/clarity. Let’s get you thriving again.
And if this episode spoke to your heart, let’s keep the conversation going. Come hang out with me on Instagram or YouTube. I share tips, behind-the-scenes moments, and real talk to help you create a life you love—even in the chaos.
Xoxo
Dr. Lisa Marie Bobby
P.S. Know someone who’s stuck in the burnout blender? Send them this article. Share the wisdom. Be the friend who says, “Hey, you need to read this.” They’ll thank you later.
Resources:
Daipuria, P., & Kakar, D. (2013). Work-life balance for working parents: Perspectives and strategies. Journal of strategic human resource management, 2(1). https://www.academia.edu/download/52845177/6.pdf
Brough, P., Timms, C., Chan, X. W., Hawkes, A., & Rasmussen, L. (2022). Work–life balance: Definitions, causes, and consequences. Handbook of socioeconomic determinants of occupational health: From macro-level to micro-level evidence, 473-487.0. https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-030-31438-5_20
Roskam, I., Aguiar, J., Akgun, E., Arikan, G., Artavia, M., Avalosse, H., … & Mikolajczak, M. (2021). Parental burnout around the globe: A 42-country study. Affective science, 2(1), 58-79. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42761-020-00028-4?gsid=a92024ae-88f8-49ba-9dca-1688f35aef56
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