Parents work to fight burnout feeling ahead of school year

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – It’s fair to say that summer vacation is over, which means free days will soon turn into jam-packed schedules for students and parents.

Now, families are looking to find the sweet spot between academics and self-care.

It’s been a long day at work, the kids need a ride to practice, and you still have to make dinner.

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.

Back to school is stressful for kids trying to keep up, but it’s also stressful for parents.

3D printer at Augusta Richmond County Public Library

“I eat, but I don’t know when it’s like, here, there, and I don’t know when I sleep,” said a parent in Aiken County, Tamera Allmond.

And it can feel like your brain is in constant go-mode.

“I feel like a drill sergeant sometimes. Like, ‘Okay, we got TO do this. We got to do this,’” said Allmond.

Allmond says that year-round school hasn’t benefited her family.

“Being in school more doesn’t seem to lead to learning more. “You don’t ever feel like your break is a break,” she said.

A look at some back-to-school gadgets

Students are heading back to school in the next few weeks and while they may have most of their school supplies, if they use a laptop, they’ll need a few gadgets you may not have thought about.

Claire Gardner is a counselor who mainly works with high school kids, and she says they are already stressed.

“You think about all the things that they have to do with not a lot of instant reward, I think it makes it really challenging to see the end goal,” said Gardner.

Gardner says parents recognizing their own burn-out can help their children.

“I also encourage parents to take time for themselves, like lean on support if you have it and if you don’t try to find a community,” said Gardner.

She also says if your child’s schedule is busy, make sure to focus on things they like.

“Practice is important, but it’s okay to recognize when your kid is burnt out and to say, we can skip that today and we can do it tomorrow,” said Gardner.