Checkup · Burnout
Dad wellbeing · 2-minute checkAre you burnt out as a parent — or just tired?
Everyone says “you’re just tired.” But parental burnout is a real, recognised thing — and different from ordinary exhaustion. This brief check is built on the four dimensions researchers use (Roskam & Mikolajczak). Eight questions, private.
What parental burnout actually is
Researchers describe parental burnout across four signs: overwhelming exhaustion in your role, emotional distancing from your kids, a sense of being fed up, and a painful contrast with the parent you used to be (Roskam & Mikolajczak). It's different from being tired, and different from depression — though they can overlap. It's also very real in dads, who rarely get asked about it.
Why it matters for you two
Burnout doesn't stay in the nursery. It shows up as a short fuse, withdrawal, and less left over for your partner — which quietly widens the distance between you. Recovery is real: protected rest, sharing the load out loud, and lowering the bar from "perfect parent" to "good-enough" all help. If it's severe, talk to a professional — and consider a mental-health check too, since burnout and depression can travel together.
This is a brief reflection based on the Parental Burnout Assessment framework (Roskam & Mikolajczak, 2018) — not the full validated questionnaire and not a diagnosis. Your answers are scored on your device and never sent anywhere.
Regular is built by a small team of parents who needed it themselves — a companion for the first year after a baby that helps new dads rebuild closeness with their partner through small, science-backed moments, not big talks. Our mission: make the post-baby year less lonely, for both of you. More about us.