Parenting challenges hit everyone, even the most prepared and well-read parents. Raising a child today is not just about keeping them fed and clothed. It’s about managing constant emotional demands, making a thousand small decisions every day, and trying to raise good humans while everything around you keeps shifting.
A recent 2023 Pew Research survey backs this up: 62% of parents say parenting is harder now than it was 20 years ago. That tracks with what most of us feel day to day, this isn’t just about “being tired” or “missing sleep.” These are deep, ongoing parenting struggles that leave many parents feeling overwhelmed, isolated, and unsure of what to do next.
Let’s break down 12 of the most common challenges of being a parent today, and some grounded, real-world ways to navigate each one.
1. Guilt That Never Stops
Parental guilt sneaks into everything. You feel guilty for working too much or not working enough. For not being present. For giving in to screen time. For losing your temper. It’s there when you go to bed and when you wake up. It can start to feel like guilt is baked into the job.
This constant self-questioning can chip away at your confidence. The problem is that guilt doesn’t necessarily mean you’re doing something wrong; it usually just means you care. But without boundaries, it becomes a heavy emotional load that doesn’t serve anyone, especially not your kids.
Try to challenge the automatic “I’m failing” narrative. Not every hard moment is a mistake. Kids don’t need perfection. They need a parent who is trying, reflecting, and adjusting as they go.
2. Burnout That Feels Endless
Parenting doesn’t stop. There’s no off switch, no official break. And that’s why burnout creeps in so easily. You’re constantly juggling needs, meals, routines, emotional support, cleaning, work, and you never feel caught up.
It’s easy to go numb or reactive when burnout takes over. You stop enjoying the little moments because your tank is always on empty. And yet you keep going, because there’s no one else to pick up the slack.
Start small by carving out non-negotiable time for yourself, even if it’s just 10–15 minutes a day. Make space to do something that isn’t about parenting. The more restored you feel, the more patience and presence you’ll have to offer your kids.
3. Discipline That Doesn’t Feel Right
Disciplining kids is one of the biggest parenting issues out there. You want your child to listen, follow rules, and treat others with respect. But yelling, timeouts, and punishments often leave everyone feeling worse, not better.
At the same time, being too relaxed leads to boundary-pushing and chaos. The line between “firm and fair” and “angry and harsh” can be hard to manage, especially when you’re already stressed.
Shift your focus to connection-based discipline. That means understanding your child’s behavior instead of just reacting to it. What need are they trying to meet? What skill do they lack? The goal is to teach, not control. Clear expectations, calm tone, and natural consequences can go a long way.
4. Screens Taking Over Everything
Tech is part of modern life. But when your child is glued to a screen, you probably feel torn. One part of you needs that break. Another part worries about attention spans, sleep disruption, and emotional meltdowns when it’s time to turn the device off.
And it’s not just about kids. Your own screen habits can create guilt too. Scrolling after bedtime. Checking emails during playtime. Phones pull at your attention even when you want to be present.
Set clear screen rules and stick to them. Make bedrooms and mealtimes screen-free zones. And most importantly, talk to your kids about why it matters. They need help understanding balance, and that starts with seeing it modeled by you.
5. Comparing Yourself to Everyone Else
Social media makes it easy to think you’re the only parent struggling. Other families seem to have it all together. Their homes look clean, their kids behave, their marriages are thriving. Meanwhile, you’re trying to survive another day with cereal on the floor and a toddler meltdown in progress.
The pressure to keep up is real. But the truth is, everyone’s struggling with something. You just don’t see it on Instagram.
Start noticing when comparison shows up and what it triggers in you. Then gently redirect your focus. What matters is whether your family feels loved, safe, and supported, not whether it looks perfect from the outside.
6. Clashing With Your Co-Parent
Even the healthiest relationships get tested by parenting. You might disagree on bedtimes, discipline, food, or how much screen time is too much. Maybe one of you is more hands-on while the other zones out or disengages.
These daily differences can build into resentment if they’re not addressed. Kids also pick up on these cracks fast, and they may start playing one parent against the other.
You don’t have to agree on everything, but alignment on the big stuff helps. Check in regularly as a team. Don’t correct each other in front of the kids. When disagreements pop up, focus on the shared goal: raising a decent human, not winning the argument.
7. Carrying the Invisible Mental Load
It’s not just about the tasks you do. It’s about everything you keep track of in your head. School calendars, birthday party RSVPs, who needs new shoes, who’s been acting off emotionally. That quiet, constant mental load wears you down.
And often, it’s not shared equally. One parent might be doing more of the thinking, planning, and emotional checking-in without acknowledgment.
Start writing down the things you manage. Share the list. Talk openly about the unseen work that keeps your home running. Delegating isn’t about letting go of control, it’s about recognizing that one person can’t hold it all.
8. Big Emotions, Small People
Young kids don’t have the tools to handle strong emotions. So they scream, throw, bite, or slam doors. Older kids shut down or lash out with sarcasm and silence. Either way, it’s draining.
You might react with anger, or take it personally. But most of the time, your child isn’t trying to make your life harder, they’re just overwhelmed and don’t know what to do with their feelings.
Instead of going head-to-head, pause and name what you see. “You’re really mad right now” or “That sounds frustrating.” Just being seen in that moment can help a child come back to center. Once calm returns, that’s your window to teach better ways to cope.
9. Always Worrying About Money
Parenting brings constant expenses. Clothes they outgrow in weeks. Activity fees. Doctor visits. Unexpected repairs. And for many families, the monthly math never quite adds up.
It’s hard to feel like a good parent when you can’t give your kids everything they want, or everything you want for them. The pressure builds, and so does the guilt.
But what kids need most isn’t stuff. It’s security, routines, and connection. You can meet those needs regardless of income. Focus on what’s within your control: budgeting together, teaching money values early, and making intentional choices instead of reactive ones.
10. Feeling Alone in the Work
You hear it all the time, “It takes a village.” But for many parents today, that village is missing. No extended family nearby. Friends too busy. No built-in support system. You’re doing all of it, all the time, alone.
That isolation makes everything harder. It can lead to burnout, resentment, and emotional overload. And when things go wrong, you’re left wondering if you’re the only one who’s struggling.
Start by building small connections. A neighbor. A school parent. An online group. One meaningful support link is better than none. You’re not supposed to do this without help, even if the world makes it seem that way.
11. When Your Child Isn’t “Typical”
Every parent wants their child to thrive. But when you notice something different, delayed speech, extreme anxiety, learning challenges, it’s easy to slip into fear. The process of getting help often feels slow, confusing, and lonely.
And on top of the worry, there’s a quiet grief that your child’s path might not look like others’. That’s hard to admit, but real.
Start trusting your observations. If something feels off, pursue answers. Push for evaluations. Don’t accept being brushed off. Early intervention can change everything. And connect with other parents who’ve walked that road, you’ll learn more from them than any expert.
12. Trying to Be Everything at Once
You’re working, parenting, managing a household, trying to be a good partner, friend, and maybe even take care of yourself. The pressure to “do it all” is heavy—and unrealistic.
Something always gives. Sometimes it’s your job. Sometimes it’s your mental health. Sometimes it’s the dishes or your child’s reading log. And when it does, the guilt kicks in again.
Instead of aiming for balance, aim for flexibility. Some days are work-heavy. Some are kid-focused. Let go of the idea that everything gets equal attention all the time. Show up where you’re needed most that day, and give yourself credit for doing exactly that.
Turning Struggles Into Strength
Parenting challenges aren’t problems to solve once and for all, they’re signals. They tell you where growth is needed, where support is missing, and where the real work of parenting happens.
So don’t just power through the hard parts. Pay attention to them. They can teach you a lot, about your child, your limits, and what kind of parent you want to become. The goal isn’t to eliminate every struggle. It’s to respond to them with intention.
Parenting isn’t about being perfect. It’s about staying engaged, adapting when things get tough, and showing up even when you’re exhausted. Every tough moment is a chance to build something stronger, with your child, within yourself, and within your family.
If you’re feeling stretched, stuck, or unsure, that’s not failure. That’s parenting in real life. Take the next step, however small it is. That’s where progress starts.