Purchasing school supplies, preparing meals, going back and forth to school… The start of the school year requires the resumption of a precise organization of the timetable. A mental load that particularly affects single parents, forced to manage all of this themselves, sometimes without help (or almost) from their ex-spouse.
A third of single parents consider themselves “super managers”!
The dating application dedicated to single parents, Even, was interested in this phenomenon. A study carried out by IPSOS among 1000 single parents shows that 31% of them consider themselves “super managers”. A label that they sometimes pay a high price for: in fact, 20% of them end up giving up, overwhelmed by so many responsibilities.
How to relieve pressure and avoid exhaustion?
To avoid parental burnout, Marina Rossi, ex-single mother and founder of Noo Family, the first coaching platform that supports single parents on a daily basis, gives five tips.
Anticipate to avoid overload
A good way to lighten the mental load and not have a long “to do list” at the start of the school year is to anticipate. “Proactive organization allows you to unburden yourself mentally, with the certainty that the small hazards of the start of the school year are under control. To do this, having a box of school supplies at home, checking your child’s bag regularly, and preparing clothes the day before are simple but powerful actions.
recalls Marina Rossi. “These habits help avoid last-minute unforeseen events, which are often major sources of stress. By integrating these routines into your daily life, you ensure calmer mornings, where everything is ready to start the day without rushing.”.
Simplify meals to reduce daily pressure
Meal management is another area where mental overload can quickly build up. “In
planning meals in advance and by cooking double to freeze certain dishes, you give yourself a real mental relief during the week” advises the expert. “And if one evening, sandwiches or pizzas become the solution, accept it without guilt. The main thing is to preserve your energy and avoid any unnecessary overload.”
Allow yourself regular moments of unloading
Unloading yourself mentally also requires regular breaks. “Whether it’s a quiet coffee in the morning or a moment of reading in the evening, these little bubbles of calm help relieve pressure and avoid saturation” underlines Marina Rossi.
Surround yourself to share constraints
Mental overload can be alleviated by surrounding yourself with people you can count on. “Organizing school trips with other parents or interacting with other solo parents in support groups allows you to share the load and obtain an essential mental relief.” she concludes.