Caregiver fatigue and/or burnout:  While originally contained to the field of paid work, the incidence and slow recognition of fatigue and burnout amongst parents is increasing.  So much so, that in 2024 the US Surgeon General issued an advisory about the "impact of modern stresses on parents' mental health." (CBC News article). Burnout and caregiver fatigue can creep up on us silently because often parents will interpret the symptoms as part of the package - or even a personal failing - instead of what these symptoms are actually representing.​

Overwhelming thoughts and feelings:  It makes sense that what we value most in life will take up the most space in our hearts and feelings.  This may be expecially notable when we harbour concern or worry for those whom we care about most.  Sometimes, the sheer mental and emotional load of everyday parenting - without additional concerns - can be enough to overwhelm our nervous systems.

A need for more support: Modern villages are needed more than ever to accommodate the modern needs of families.  However, many people don't have the same access to the "village" they need.

Understanding difficult behaviours:  It can be hard to know what is happening for our kids/teens/young adults, underneath the behaviours we see.  Parents can swing between wanting to blame their child and wanting to blame themselves when things get hard.  ​​​​​​​​​

Processing experiences related to YOUR parents and childhood: Nothing brings up past memories of how we were parented quite like the experience of being parents ourselves.  Many of us make unconscious decisions about how we will - or won't - parent, along with parenting beliefs, as a result of our own experiences as young people.

Specific acute and developnental stressors: Families can experience a number of intertn external situations that stress the family system.  From transitions, to school stressors,