Feeling Overwhelmed as a Parent? Here's What to Do When Life with Kids Feels Too Much

When Everyday Life Feels Like Too Much

There are moments in parenting, especially when raising children aged 6 to 12, where the days stretch endlessly but there seems to be no room to breathe. The demands pile up—homework that turns into a power struggle, mornings that begin with resistance, and evenings that end in exhaustion. If you're reading this with tired eyes and a heart that’s been heavy for too long, you're not alone. Feeling overwhelmed is not a sign of failure—it's a sign you're doing a lot, probably too much, and it’s time to pause and reconsider what matters most.

Why This Season Feels Particularly Difficult

This age range—between six and twelve—is full of transitions. Your child is becoming more independent, but also grappling with academic challenges, emotional regulation, social dynamics, and possibly not fitting smoothly into traditional school systems. They still want your attention but might resist your help. It’s a push and pull that can leave you unsure of your role and exhausted from trying to be everything at once.

The truth is, today's lifestyle adds to that pressure. Expectations for academic success feel higher than ever. Technology competes for your child’s attention. And for many parents, there’s guilt looming in every direction—too little time, too many screens, too few quality moments. Have you ever had a day where every moment with your child felt like a negotiation? You're not imagining it—it’s hard, and the stakes feel high.

Start Where You Are, Not Where You Think You Should Be

One of the most important shifts you can make when you’re feeling overwhelmed is to stop comparing yourself to your ideal version—what you think a "perfect day" with your child should look like. Instead, start with where you are. Ask: What do I need today? And: What does my child really need?

Sometimes, the answer isn’t another calendar system or productivity hack. Sometimes, it’s rest. Or connection. Or simply trusting that you don’t need to fix everything at once.

For example, if homework time turns into nightly battles, the issue may not be motivation but underlying tensions or stress. Consider asking yourself: Are we stuck in a power struggle? Are expectations too high? You can read more about this dynamic in our article on children who seem constantly bored or unmotivated, which often ties into mismatched learning environments or stress responses.

Let Go of Guilt and Prioritize What Recharges You

It may feel counterintuitive, but the best thing you can do for your child when you’re burned out is to find small ways to recharge yourself. This doesn’t have to look like a spa day or a night off (if only that were so easy!). Sometimes, it’s a 15-minute walk around the block after school drop-off, or saying no to a weeknight commitment you just don’t have the bandwidth for.

Many parents, in their attempts to do everything “right,” forget that calm is contagious—and so is stress. Create micro-moments of rest that signal to your nervous system that it’s okay to slow down. Your child may be challenging right now, but they change and grow. This won’t last forever.

Get Support That Doesn't Add More to Your Plate

It's okay to seek help—whether that’s from a friend who understands, a teacher who sees your child differently, or a resource that buys you a small window of peace. You don’t always need more effort; sometimes, you just need the right tool. For example, many parents have found that listening to audiobooks with their children creates a shared moment of pause and enjoyment that doesn’t involve a screen or a fight over reading time.

Apps like LISN Kids offer original audiobooks and adventure-packed audio series tailored for children ages 3 to 12. Whether your child is into magical creatures, science explorations, or silly comedy, you’ll likely find something that holds their attention and gives you a few moments to exhale. You can find it on iOS or Android.

Reimagine What Success Looks Like

When you're overwhelmed, something subtle can happen—you begin to judge yourself more harshly and your children more narrowly. You might start seeing their quirks as problems that need fixing, or interpret every meltdown as a personal failure. But it helps to zoom out and ask: What truly matters?

Is it that your child finishes every worksheet perfectly? Or is it that they know home is a safe place to be themselves? In our piece on how to break free from snap judgments about your child, we explore how this mindset shift can open up entirely new ways to parent based on understanding rather than control.

Sometimes those 'difficult' moments—meltdowns, pushback, boredom—are actually invitations. They point to what’s beneath the surface: a child asking for help in a language we don’t always understand at first. For instance, if your child’s reactions feel bigger than expected, you might find guidance in our article on handling intense outbursts, which can shed light on emotional patterns many parents find baffling.

You’re Doing More Than You Think

In the end, parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about presence. If you’re reading this, you care deeply. You’re trying. And even on the days that feel like a loop of chaos and self-doubt, you’re showing up. That matters more than any to-do list or polished parenting strategy.

So the next time you wonder, "What am I even doing here?"—remember: your child doesn’t need a perfect parent. They need you. Even tired, even overwhelmed, even not-quite-sure-what’s-next you. And maybe, today, that’s enough.