A recent national survey by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center discovered that most parents are dealing with isolation, loneliness, and burnout due to the challenges of parenthood. Many parents also feel like they lack the support they need in fulfilling their role. The survey, which was conducted this month, revealed that about 66% of parents feel the demands of parenthood occasionally or frequently.Many parents working from home full time find it isolating and lonely. Approximately 62% of parents feel burned out by their responsibilities. Almost 2 in 5 parents feel they lack support in their role. A large majority of parents, 79%, would appreciate a way to connect with other parents outside of work and home.
Anne Helms, a mother of two in Columbus, Ohio, shared her experience, stating, “I work from home full time and I actually have a job where I’m on camera a lot and I’m Zoom calling people very often. However, you don’t get the small talk, so you don’t get the, ‘How are your children? How’s it going?’ And you don’t get a lot of genuine interaction.”
When you ask how things are going, sometimes the only conversation I have is with my dog because I work alone.
Kate Gawlik, DNP, associate clinical professor at The Ohio State University College of Nursing and a researcher on parental burnout, noted the significant difference between virtual meetings and in-person interactions. She also mentioned that the personal touch has been eliminated and has not been reintegrated back into society.
Even when I try to connect with other parents, it often feels like we are overlooked because everyone is so focused on dropping off or picking up their kids at daycare,” Helms stated. “It’s difficult to form friendships when you feel so vulnerable.”
Gawlik also highlighted the additional negative impacts of loneliness.
“Loneliness has been proven to have a significant impact on both physical and mental well-being,” Gawlik stated. “It can lead to conditions such as cardiovascular disease, depression, anxiety, cognitive decline, and even a weakened immune system. In fact, a study has shown that loneliness can have detrimental effects on overall health.
Research has revealed that prolonged social isolation can have the same impact on your health as smoking about 15 cigarettes a day.”
To address the challenges of parental isolation, loneliness, and burnout, Gawlik developed a six-week parenting program that brings together parents to share their struggles, offer support, and find solidarity. This program allowed Helms to realize that she was not alone.
“The most important thing for me was that she confirmed that it’s normal to feel burnt out when you’re a working parent trying to do the best for your children,” Helms explained. “So I felt reassured when she said, ‘It’s okay if you’re feeling this way.'”
Gawlik emphasized the importance of self-care and the value of forming connections.
Having someone to relate to and feeling connected to others who are going through similar experiences can be a powerful way to combat loneliness, according to Gawlik.
Helms believes that connecting with other parents and receiving support has a positive impact on creating better futures for children, as well as improving overall health. “The ripple effect from these connections is immeasurable, making individuals better employees, spouses, parents, and friends,” Helms added.
The enrichment that comes from parenting is similar to the enrichment from online activities. According to Gawlik, finding parent groups in your area, whether through community centers or your workplace, can provide support. Joining playgroups, book clubs, or sports leagues, or arranging playdates for your children can also help combat the loneliness that can come with parenting. Gawlik acknowledges that it can be difficult to seek out these connections, but having a support system can make the challenges of parenting more manageable.Sometimes people are vulnerable and it may require some time and effort,” said the expert. “But all it takes is to take that first step.