In the 1980s, researchers Jerry Edelwich and Archie Brodsky identified four stages of burnout as they related to nursing and other helping professions. They were enthusiasm, stagnation, frustration, and finally, apathy. Sound familiar? Once applicable chiefly to the professional world, this cycle is now recognizable in other areas of life, such as parenting, relationships … and, yes, even school.
From bright-eyed and bushy-tailed kindergartners who suddenly balk at getting on the school bus to star-student seniors who now hit the snooze button well into first period, no child is immune to burnout. Here are some ways to keep your kid from catching the bug.
Stop running. It’s a proven fact that kids who are involved in outside activities tend to perform better academically. Certainly, activities are great, but when they start piling up, kids can lose more than just sleep. Children suffering burnout due to over-scheduling tend to be less focused and more irritable. If your kids’ only “downtime” is in the car somewhere between soccer practice and cello lessons, you may want to consider whether it’s time to scale back your child’s agenda. Sit down with your kid and examine his or her commitments—does everything serve enough of a purpose that it warrants giving up free time? It may also be time to reevaluate your own expectations and how your child perceives them. Many parents are surprised to find that their children are participating in activities only because they feel such involvement is expected of them. Chances are some activities can fall by the wayside without too much grief for either of you.
Burnout or boredom? Perhaps over-scheduling isn’t the problem. Does your usually attentive student seem resentful toward or resigned to his schoolwork? Is your “How was school today?” greeted with shrugs and monosyllabic grunts? The issue here might not be stimulation overload, but the opposite. If an adolescent is not feeling challenged in school, he or she can experience some of the same symptoms as burnout. Especially if your child has an undemanding schedule to begin with, consider discussing the possibility of gifted, advanced placement, or elective classes. On the other hand, your son or daughter may be eager to establish an identity beyond just academics. Now might also be a good time to take on some extracurricular activities like sports, scouting, or fine arts. Involvement in on-campus programs helps kids feel as though they have a personal investment in the school—and this can be rejuvenating both in and out of the classroom. Keep those lines of communication open to ensure that your child’s new academic and/or extracurricular life doesn’t shift the balance from boredom into actual burnout.
