Unfortunately, no parent can escape it, and this exhaustion often begins even before the child is born…
If you ask young parents what exhausts them in their new role, most will answer: lack of sleep. In general, this is the answer that comes up the most, because with the arrival of a baby, it is well known that nights are often broken up due to frequent waking up and difficulty falling back to sleep. But in reality, there is a completely different cause that demands a lot of energy and causes them a lot of fatigue. In fact, all parents without exception are affected.
It’s simply the mental load of making decisions. And it starts even before the child is born, with the famous questions that need to be answered: “Where will I give birth?”, “Will I breastfeed or bottle feed?”, “Disposable diaper or washable diaper?”etc. After the child comes, it doesn’t stop there, quite the contrary. The choices you have to make, concerning the care, education or even the future of your offspring, accumulate. A phenomenon that is not always without consequences…
According to Dr Lisa MacLean, an American psychiatrist interviewed by the HuffingtonPost UK, “Every decision, no matter how small, takes time and energy.” In some cases, we can even talk about decision fatigue. This “occurs when decision-making becomes increasingly difficult. In fact, you make so many decisions that you become exhausted,” she explains. Decision-making is not always easy as a parent. It is therefore not surprising that mothers or fathers feel completely overwhelmed or paralyzed when it comes to making a choice.
To alleviate this decision fatigue, parents can first create a routine and plan certain tasks in advance, so as not to have to think too much during the day. The expert also advises making the most important decisions in the morning rather than in the evening. Some people can also choose another, more suitable time, if they feel too tired in the morning.
Concerned parents can also adopt a strategy to help them make decisions. For example, by relying on reviews or the reputation of an establishment, a product, etc. In the same vein, they can limit the number of choices so as not to have to make too many decisions. Finally, don’t hesitate to delegate as much as possible, and to be indulgent with yourself. After all, all parents have the right not to have all the answers, you do your best!