Feeling overwhelmed by screen time stress and parent burnout? Discover practical ways to reset your family's routines and support your child this school year—without burning out.

Parent Burnout and Screen Time Stress: A September Reset

Peace at Home September 1, 2025 | Louise Edwards

Feeling the September Stretch? You’re Not Alone

Whether you are already a month into the new school year or just a week, September might have you feeling a little stretched. (Not there yet? Brace yourself!).

The return to school brings a new rhythm and with it, a mix of relief, stress, and emotional landmines. Maybe you’re managing screen time battles or noticing shifts in your child’s mental health. Or maybe, you’re navigating the kind of transitions that involve finding extra-long fitted sheets and under-bed storage for your college-bound big kid. 

When Big Emotions Disrupt Big Plans

The school year often begins with big hopes and high expectations, and then…reality hits. Your 4th grader gets placed in a class without any of her friends and ends up with the mean teacher.

Yes, this happened to us. Yes, there were tears. And yes, I drove her to school nearly every day with a non-negotiable stop at the fancy coffee shop for hot chocolate and a savory scone.

Every day until mid-November. And then every Monday. And always after any school break.

It was rough on all of us. I found myself trying to matchmake new friendships in the “mean teacher’s class,” while soothing a 10-year-old who felt completely abandoned – all while navigating college applications for our oldest, and parenting a middle kid, who loved football (but high school, not so much).

Just writing this makes my blood pressure tick up.

Whether your child is five or nineteen, their emotional struggles can hit you hard. You want to be their safe space, their rock. And it can take everything you have to show up that way—especially when you’re running on very little yourself.

That’s what this month’s theme is all about: how to support your child without sacrificing your own wellbeing.

Join Us Live

Boundaries That Build Trust

One of the most common struggles we hear about this time of year is screen time. Phones, group chats, social media—it’s where kids connect, and it’s where parents often feel like they’re losing control.

In our upcoming workshop with Aaron Weintraub, MS, we’ll talk about how to create realistic limits that reduce conflict and preserve connection. You’ll leave with strategies that are respectful, research-based, and ready to use.

How to Set Tech Boundaries Without Losing Your Child’s Trust
September 9, 2025
12:00 PM ET
Register Now

Support Without Burnout

Join us for a candid and compassionate Lunch And Learn, where our founder, Ruth Freeman, and Peace At Home expert, Marianne Barton, discuss how to stay calm when your child isn’t, how to help them handle big feelings, and how to take care of yourself when your child is in therapy.

Support Your Child’s Mental Health Without Burning Out
September 18, 2025
12:00 PM ET
Register Now

You are not alone this season

You don’t have to do this perfectly. And you don’t have to do it alone.

Let’s walk through this season together—with compassion, clarity, and just a little more peace at home.

Looking for More Support?

Questions? Email us at solutions@peaceathomeparenting.com

TOPICS

Related Posts

Peace at Home

Parent Burnout and Screen Time Stress: A September

Feeling the September Stretch? You're Not Alone Whether you are already a month into the new school year

Peace at HomeSeptember 01 , 2025
Peace at Home

How to Support Your Child Without Pushing Them

Back‑to‑school pressure is real Are they reading at grade level? Making friends? Sitting still? On a team? Turning

Peace at HomeAugust 17 , 2025
Peace at Home

Back-to-School Confidence: Parenting Tips for Independence & Resilience

The school year is here again—and with it comes that familiar mix of hope, expectation, and maybe a

Peace at HomeAugust 10 , 2025
Peace at Home

Help Your Child Make Friends: When to Lean

Watching Kids Struggle is Heartbreaking Watching your child struggle with friendships can be painful—even heartbreaking. At the start

Peace at HomeAugust 03 , 2025
Peace at Home

Back‑to‑School Parenting Tips: How to Support Your Child’s

Why Back‑to‑School Emotions Often Trigger Parent Concerns The heightened emotions of the back-to-school season can feel exciting and

Peace at HomeJuly 28 , 2025
Peace at Home

How to Stop Overparenting: Raise Independent Kids by

This month at Peace At Home Parenting, we focused on something many families are struggling with: how to

Peace at HomeJuly 20 , 2025

Join our mailing lists for more parenting tips