Dr David Coleman: 7 simple tips for parents to reduce everyday stress

Parenting is a hard job. Indeed, a 2023 American Psychological Association survey found that parents reported more stress than other adults. It is easy to see how this could be the case. Parents often face sleep deprivation, challenges balancing work and family life, financial pressures or the strain of managing their child’s behaviour. Worries about a child’s health, pressure from social media and comparisons with other families, juggling busy schedules and the lack of personal time all add to the emotional load.

Whether you’re juggling school and activities or in the baby bubble, daily life with children can be exhausting — but there are ways to lighten the load, writes Dr David Coleman Talking through challenges with other parents can help you feel less alone. Photo: Getty Parenting is a hard job. Indeed, a 2023 American Psychological Association survey found that parents reported more stress than other adults.

It is easy to see how this could be the case. Parents often face sleep deprivation, challenges balancing work and family life, financial pressures or the strain of managing their child’s behaviour. Worries about a child’s health, pressure from social media and comparisons with other families, juggling busy schedules and the lack of personal time all add to the emotional load.

These stressors are normal but can become overwhelming if not addressed. So, I have gathered my seven top tips for reducing parenting stress. Join the Irish Independent WhatsApp channel Stay up to date with all the latest news.