Argentine Psychologist Warns of Parental Burnout in Andorra Workshop

Macarena Montenegro, an Argentine psychology graduate living in Andorra, warns that the roles of caregiver and worker often clash in modern society, fueling parental burnout. On Thursday, she led a workshop on the issue at Hive Five Coworking in Andorra, drawing from her experience supporting families through her social media profile @maternarmigrando.

Parental burnout, she explains, goes beyond ordinary fatigue. It is a specific syndrome tied to child-rearing, marked by profound feelings of inadequacy as a parent—a sense of being utterly ineffective. "It's an extreme exhaustion that persists even after rest, leaving people feeling burned out," she says. Early warning signs include insomnia, constant nervousness, general malaise, persistent tiredness, and muscle tension.

The causes are varied but commonly stem from raising children without adequate support networks and struggling to balance work and family life. Caregivers enter a state of constant hypervigilance, with no relief to dial it back. Montenegro points to a societal contradiction: parents strive to be fully present for their children, yet demanding work cultures expect total dedication. This overlap creates a vicious cycle.

The condition can strain parent-child bonds, though it does not diminish love. High stress levels trigger brain dissociation, leaving parents unsure how to respond. To break free, Montenegro advises a "minimum survival plan" on overwhelming days—prioritizing essentials over perfection, such as opting for a ready-made pizza instead of a home-cooked healthy meal. This buys time to seek help and reassess self-imposed parenting roles.

Burnout can strike at any stage of child-rearing, though it peaks early due to infants' intense demands. As children grow more independent, parents gain breathing room. While it can affect anyone deeply involved in caregiving, women face higher risks due to entrenched gender roles, workplace pressures, and social expectations.