Returning guest Dr. Naomi Fisher joins host Leisa Reichelt and School Can’t Australia’s Tiffany Westphal and returning guest Dr. Naomi Fisher to deep dive into the pressing issue of parental burnout. 

Dr. Fisher, Clinical Psychologist and expert in supporting parents with burned out School Can’t kids, provides valuable insights into recognizing, understanding, and combating burnout among parents and carers. 

You’ll get practical tips for self-care that are achievable even for parents who have little or no time to themselves. We also discuss the impact of systemic pressures and strategies for managing chronic stress. 

Whether you’re a burned out parent or supporting someone who is in or near burnout, this episode offers a way to understand what is going on and what can be done to help make the journey a little more sustainable.

00:00 Welcome to the School Can't Experience Podcast

00:26 Introducing Dr. Naomi Fisher and Parental Burnout

01:33 Understanding Burnout: Signs and Symptoms

03:49 The Impact of School on Parental Burnout

04:47 Challenges of Home Education

06:35 The Emotional Rollercoaster of Parenting

09:58 Social Isolation and Judgment

14:46 Inner Critic and Self-Compassion

19:12 Rewriting Your Parenting Narrative

22:30 Naming Your Inner Voice

22:55 Creating Distance from Negative Thoughts

23:06 Self-Compassion and Friend Analogy

23:37 Thanking Your Inner Voice

23:51 Managing Threat Responses

25:28 Controlling Social Media Inputs

27:47 Systemic Impacts on Parental Burnout

30:11 Questioning the Education System

34:26 Sustainable Parenting Strategies

34:57 The Importance of Parental Self-Care

36:37 Dealing with Shame and Household Expectations

39:51 Investing in Mental Health

41:13 Resources for Burnt Out Parents

42:28 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Recommended Resources

• Understanding Burnout in our Children (Naomi’s previous episode on the pod) - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2447546/episodes/16923733
• Naomi’s website (books, courses, webinars) - https://naomifisher.co.uk/
• Think Again: Naomi’s substack/newsletter -

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• School Can’t Australia Facebook Community - https://www.facebook.com/groups/schoolphobiaschoolrefusalaustralia
• Make a donation to School Can’t Australia - https://www.schoolcantaustralia.com.au/get-involved

If you are a parent of carer in Australia and experiencing distress, please call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or contact the Parent Help Line. - https://kidshelpline.com.au/parents/issues/how-parentline-can-help-you

You can contact us to volunteer to share your School Can't story or some feedback via email on schoolcantpodcast@gmail.com

Disclaimer
The content of this podcast is based on personal lived experiences and is shared for informational and storytelling purposes only. It should not be treated as medical, psychological, or professional advice under any circumstances. If you have concerns about your health or well-being, please seek guidance from a doctor, therapist, or other qualified professional.