Raising children can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences, but it can also bring stress and exhaustion that take a toll on even the most laid-back parents.
In Bermuda, where the high cost of living places added pressure on families juggling rent, groceries, electricity bills, many mothers and fathers are feeling stretched to breaking point.
For some, the stress begins before the day has even properly started.
Getting a child out of bed, fed and ready in the morning can be a challenge in itself. There are lunches to prepare, uniforms to iron and bags to pack. In between it all, working parents must somehow find time to get themselves ready and ensure their children arrive at school before attendance is taken.
By the end of the day, the pressures are still there, just in a different form. There’s ferrying to after-school activities, homework to supervise and groceries to buy — all while trying to remain emotionally available for children.
Mental health professionals warn that chronic stress can gradually affect both physical and emotional wellbeing. The effects are not always obvious at first.
According to the Family Centre many families in Bermuda are dealing with emotional, behavioural and social challenges linked to stress, pressure and instability.
People may dismiss exhaustion, irritability or difficulty sleeping as part of everyday life but over time, chronic stress can contribute to anxiety, burnout, headaches, digestive issues, high blood pressure and emotional withdrawal. Relationships can also suffer as patience wears thin and people become overwhelmed.
Children often absorb that tension too, even when parents try to shield them from it.
Family Centre provides free, weekly counselling for children, teens and families, along with parenting workshops and family support groups designed to help manage stress and strengthen home relationships.
As described on its website, the sessions “aim to guide families in problem-solving family challenges such as discipline issues, stress management, budgeting, bonding, co-parenting and blended families, etc, with a goal of creating healthier functioning home environments for parents and children alike”.
Tough balancing act
For many parents, financial pressure only adds to the challenges at home.
High housing costs, rising grocery prices and electricity bills leave many families with little room to breathe financially. For parents with children in private education, school fees can place additional strain on already stretched budgets.
For single parents or households supporting multiple generations, the burden can feel even heavier.
Over time, the constant balancing act of financial responsibilities, work and parenting can leave many mothers and fathers mentally and physically exhausted. Even for parents earning higher incomes, demanding careers and long working hours can leave little time to properly rest or recover.
That pressure to keep functioning despite exhaustion can make meaningful downtime feel almost impossible in Bermuda, where many parents associate true relaxation with leaving the island entirely.
A staycation can still involve errands, household chores and the mental pressure of unfinished responsibilities, but breaks overseas are not always realistic for families managing tight budgets.
As a result, some parents operate in survival mode for months — or even years — without meaningful rest.
Take care of yourself
Unicef, the United Nations agency focused on the wellbeing and protection of children and families around the world, encourages mothers and fathers to manage stress before it becomes overwhelming through simple activities such as walking, breathing exercises or taking short breaks during the day.
“A small amount of stress can even be useful in our daily lives – it helps us to focus and be productive. But stress can be harmful when it gets too much or goes on for too long, leading to exhaustion and burnout,” it states on its website.
“Taking time for yourself isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. When we take care of ourselves, we can better take care of our children as well.”
Prolonged stress can gradually make even ordinary responsibilities feel overwhelming, the organisation warns, noting that parents “can begin to feel stressed with even the simplest of tasks”.
Unicef encourages parents to “be kind” to themselves, reminding mothers and fathers that “there’s no such thing as a ‘perfect’ parent”.
“It’s OK to have difficult days, and it’s OK to ask for help,” the organisation states.
For many parents, however, the pressure to constantly keep up — financially, emotionally and professionally — can make slowing down feel uncomfortable or even guilt-inducing. Social media can add another layer of stress, creating unrealistic expectations around parenting, success and family life.
Mental health advocates say recognising stress early and speaking openly about it can make a significant difference. Small lifestyle changes such as setting boundaries around work, maintaining supportive friendships and asking for help when needed can all improve emotional wellbeing.
Unicef also encourages parents to stay connected with people they trust and to make time for activities that help them feel calm and recharged, even if only for a few minutes at a time.
And while parenting has always come with challenges, the pace and financial realities of life in Bermuda have intensified those demands for many families.
For overwhelmed mothers and fathers, the message is increasingly clear: looking after their own wellbeing is not selfish. It is necessary.
