Parenting comes with challenges, but the amount of stress parents face might surprise you. A recent advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General titled “Parents Under Pressure” highlights the stressors that impact the mental health and well-being of parents and caregivers.
Over the past decade, parents have consistently reported higher stress levels compared to other adults, according to the advisory. In 2023, 33% of parents said they had experienced high levels of stress in the past month, compared to only 20% of other adults.
The effects of stress can be profound. Forty-one percent of parents said they feel too stressed to function most days, and almost half said their stress is overwhelming.
Stress takes a toll on parents’ quality of time with their partners, sleep and leisure time, which can, in turn, affect their children’s emotional and cognitive development.
The link between stress and sleep
Parental stress and sleep are closely connected, with each affecting the other. Research shows that poor sleep can make stress worse, and high stress can lead to more sleep problems.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that parents with sleep disorders, or whose children have sleep disorders, are significantly more stressed. In an analysis involving over 14,000 people, researchers found that those with sleep disorders experienced nearly double the stress compared to those without sleep issues.
Similarly, a small pilot study revealed that mothers’ sleep quality was a strong predictor of mood, stress and fatigue levels. Another study found that mothers with shorter, later, and more variable sleep had higher stress levels, which made falling asleep even harder.
Quality sleep is essential for managing stress. When parents get enough rest, they feel better equipped to respond to the demands of family life. Good sleep helps boost cognitive function, memory and concentration. Prioritizing sleep is a powerful way to reduce stress and improve overall mental health.
Stress and children’s sleep: A two-way street
Parents aren’t just losing sleep because of their own stress. Children’s sleep patterns play a big role, too.
For new parents, sleep deprivation is common in the first few years of a baby’s life, and the effects can be significant. When infants have sleep issues, the whole family feels the impact. A 2023 study found that parents who were unhappy with their baby’s sleep at 4–6 months were more likely to report sleep problems when their child became a toddler.
Parental stress is closely tied to how parents perceive their children’s sleep. Research shows that parents who see their child’s sleep as challenging often report higher stress levels.
Parents’ well-being directly impacts their children. When parents are stressed, it can lead to disrupted sleep routines and other poor habits in children, such as increased screen time. In fact, stress during pregnancy has been linked to sleep issues in early childhood, suggesting that the link between parental stress and children’s sleep may begin before birth.
Sleep quality in parents also influences the quality of their caregiving. Poor sleep in mothers has been associated with less positive parenting. A study of over 400 mother-toddler pairs found that sleep deficits in mothers contributed to higher stress and less positive interactions during bedtime — a critical moment in a child’s day.
These findings emphasize how important sleep is, not just for parents’ well-being, but for their ability to provide nurturing care.
Improving sleep for a healthier family
Improving sleep may be the key to reducing stress for both parents and children. Children’s sleep health is closely linked to the sleep quality of their parents. This means that when parents prioritize better sleep, it can benefit everyone.
Adopting healthy sleep habits can lead to better rest for the entire family. Simple changes can make a big difference. Keeping a consistent bedtime and establishing relaxing bedtime routines are effective ways to improve sleep quality.
When parents prioritize their well-being, whether through better sleep, exercise or stress reduction, the effects ripple throughout the household. Stress may be unavoidable, but sleep is a powerful tool to help manage it.
Medical review by Katherine Moawad, DO