Dad Wonders If He’s A Jerk For Not Wanting To Join His Wife’s Work Trip With The Kids

Parents need to watch out for themselves to avoid burnout

I’m not here to play armchair therapist, but let’s be real—having a full-time remote job and being the primary caregiver for two young children is exhausting. That kind of nonstop responsibility can easily lead to parental burnout, also known as chronic parenting stress.

Some common signs include:

• Feeling physically and emotionally drained
• Feeling like you’re not a “good enough” parent
• Feeling overwhelmed and frustrated with parenting duties
• Feeling emotionally distant from your kids

From what the Reddit dad shared, it sounds like he might be dealing with some of these issues. And yet, like nearly 60% of parents, he doesn’t seem to be doing much to relax or recharge.

Studies show that self-care for parents, especially for dads who work from home, is key to good mental health and emotional well-being. Parents who are kind to themselves tend to feel healthier and handle stress better.

So if this dad feels that sticking to his daily routine is what helps him stay grounded—especially when his inner critic starts to speak up—then maybe skipping the family trip is actually the healthiest choice for him and his family.

As the dad’s story went viral, he joined the discussion in the comments