Psychologists Off the Clock

386. Parents Are Stressed: What Do We Do About It? with Emily, Debbie, and our dear friend Yael Schonbrun


Listen Later

Parental stress has been declared a public health crisis by the U.S. Surgeon General—and it’s a conversation we all need to have. In this episode, Emily sits down with Debbie and our dear friend and guest Yael Schonbrun, a clinical psychologist and author of Work, Parent, Thrive, to explore what’s behind the overwhelming stress so many parents are feeling and, more importantly, what we can do about it.


We’re talking about all the things that pile up: money worries, the constant rush, and that pressure to “do it all.” Plus, we dive into what parental burnout actually is (and why it’s not your fault) and share simple, science-backed tips to make life a little easier.


This isn’t just about managing parental stress—it’s about showing up for yourself and your kids in a healthier, more sustainable way. If you’ve ever felt like you’re drowning in the demands of parenting, this episode is for you. It’s a conversation that matters—and one that can truly make a difference.


Listen and Learn: 
  • What is parental stress, why it matters, and how we can lighten the load together?
  • How can we turn overwhelming parental stress into something manageable?
  • Parenting burnout is skyrocketing—what’s fueling it, and how can we reclaim balance in modern life?
  • The pressures of modern parenting, how to find balance and break free from the stress.
  • How working parents can shift from feeling torn between roles to using tension for enrichment
  • What are the causes and consequences of parental burnout, and how driving awareness can help
  • Why your well-being as a parent is crucial for your child's mental health, yet it's often overlooked—and learn how to break this unhelpful cycle
  • How self-compassion and mindful check-ins can help ease your burnout and stress in daily life
  • Supporting your child's autonomy to reduce parental burnout and strengthen your connections

  • Resources: 
    • Yael’s website: https://www.yaelschonbrun.com/
    • Connect with Yael on socials: 
    • https://www.linkedin.com/in/yael-schonbrun-a26a5229/
    • http://x.com/DrYaelSchonbrun
    • http://instagram.com/yaelschonbrun/
    • Our Substack Q&A, Is Parent Stress Breaking News? Three Clinical Psychologists Discuss the Surgeon General’s New Advisory: https://emilyedlynn.substack.com/p/is-parent-stress-breaking-news 

    • About Yael Schonbrun

      Yael Schonbrun is a clinical psychologist, assistant professor at Brown University, author of Work, Parent, Thrive: 12 Science-Backed Strategies to Ditch Guilt, Manage Overwhelm, and Grow Connection (When Everything Feels Like too Much), past Psychologists Off the Clock co-host, and parent of three. In her research, private practice, and writing, Yael draws on science, philosophy, and clinical practices to share practices proven to foster healthier relationships between partners, parents and children, and between our most important life roles. Yael is a frequent contributor to The Washington Post and her writing on work, parenting, and relationships has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Greater Good Science Center, Behavioral Scientist, Tricycle, among others.


      Related Episodes: 
      • 306. Screaming on the Inside: The Challenges of American Motherhood with Jessica Grose
      • 319. Autonomy-Supportive Parenting with the AMAZING Emily Edlynn
      • 275. Work, Parent, Thrive with Yael Schonbrun
      • 338. ACT for Burnout with Debbie! 
      • 146. Parental Burnout with Lisa Coyne
      • 382. The Anxious Generation? The Conversation We Should Be Having About Kids, Technology, and Mental Health 
      • 379. Toxic Striving with Paula Freedman-Diamond 
      • https://offtheclockpsych.com/be-mighty/
      • 121. Be Mighty: An Episode for Stressed Out, Worried Women with Jill Stoddard
      • 267. You are Not a Horrible Parent with Carla Naumburg
      • 211. Subtract with Leidy Klotz
      • Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

        See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

        ...more
        View all episodesView all episodes
        Download on the App Store

        Psychologists Off the ClockBy Debbie Sorensen, Jill Stoddard, Yael Schonbrun, Michael Herold & Emily Edlynn

        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6
        • 4.6

        4.6

        307 ratings


        More shows like Psychologists Off the Clock

        View all
        Speaking of Psychology by American Psychological Association

        Speaking of Psychology

        50 Listeners

        The One You Feed by Eric Zimmer

        The One You Feed

        2,501 Listeners

        The Psychology Podcast by iHeartPodcasts

        The Psychology Podcast

        1,831 Listeners

        Therapy Chat by Laura Reagan, LCSW-C

        Therapy Chat

        685 Listeners

        10% Happier with Dan Harris by 10% Happier

        10% Happier with Dan Harris

        12,553 Listeners

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson by Rick Hanson, Ph.D., Forrest Hanson

        Being Well with Forrest Hanson and Dr. Rick Hanson

        2,481 Listeners

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes by Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes

        Counselor Toolbox Podcast with DocSnipes

        617 Listeners

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast by Sue Marriott LCSW, CGP & Ann Kelley PhD

        Therapist Uncensored Podcast

        1,388 Listeners

        Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel by Esther Perel Global Media

        Where Should We Begin? with Esther Perel

        14,849 Listeners

        The Couples Therapist Couch by Shane Birkel

        The Couples Therapist Couch

        267 Listeners

        Attachment Theory in Action by The Knowledge Center

        Attachment Theory in Action

        152 Listeners

        Light Up The Couch by Clearly Clinical

        Light Up The Couch

        321 Listeners

        Unlocking Us with Brené Brown by Vox Media Podcast Network

        Unlocking Us with Brené Brown

        23,603 Listeners

        Therapy in a Nutshell by Therapy in a Nutshell -Emma McAdam

        Therapy in a Nutshell

        534 Listeners

        Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch by iHeartPodcasts

        Dear Therapists with Lori Gottlieb and Guy Winch

        2,337 Listeners