In the fight against rising rates of child burnout, clinical psychologist Meghna Kanwat suggests that a parent’s greatest tool is not a tutor or a planner, but a strong, empathetic relationship with their child. The pressures of school, from academics to social demands, can be overwhelming, but a secure parent-child bond provides the resilience needed to navigate these challenges.
“Strengthening the parent-child relationship by open communication, emotional responsiveness, and nurturing resilience serves as a buffer,” Kanwat explains. This means actively listening when your child speaks, validating their feelings even if you don’t fully understand them, and responding with empathy rather than immediate solutions. When a child feels heard and supported, their capacity to cope with stress increases dramatically.
This supportive connection is especially important when a child is already showing signs of burnout, such as fatigue, cynicism, or falling grades. A gentle, non-judgmental approach can encourage them to share what they are experiencing. Harsh discipline or expressions of disappointment, on the other hand, will likely cause them to withdraw further, exacerbating the problem.
The psychologist also notes that parental stress can undermine this crucial connection. If parents are burnt out and overwhelmed, they may struggle to be emotionally available for their children. Therefore, self-care is not a luxury for parents; it’s a necessity for creating a stable and nurturing home environment where children can thrive.
For children of all ages, this foundation of connection is key. With younger kids, it manifests as protecting their time for unstructured play. With teenagers, it involves guiding them toward self-regulation and helping them explore their identity beyond academics. In every case, a responsive and loving relationship is the anchor that keeps a child grounded amidst the storms of school pressure.