Tips for parents to prepare themselves ahead of this back-to-school season

Back to school is an exciting time for kids, but it’s not that simple for mothers, who may be burnt out, all thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shehneela Farheen, a Calgary mom of two says her mental health has suffered a great deal.

“All of this has been very challenging because you just don’t have to be a mother but you have to be a teacher, you have to be a friend, you have to be everything basically,” Farheen said.

Juggling between the role of a full-time mother and a work from home mother, Farheen says it has taken a toll on her relationships.

“It has been challenging not just with the kids, but because i was so overtired and overworked, and it was so overwhelming for everyone that my relationship with your partner, your husband also suffered. Your relationship with everyone suffers, its not just with the kids,’ Farheen said.

Shehneela Farheen, left, poses for a photo with son, Yahya, in Calgary. (Courtesy of Shehneela Farheen)

Experts dealing with mental health say this burnout can have serious consequences if left unattended.

Harriet Ekperigin, a nurse and vice president of Mental Health with Green Shield Holdings, says the first step is the right diagnosis.

“Mental health is health. When you cut a finger or break a leg, everybody knows about it, but with mental health and mental illness its really difficult because people don’t typically see it,” Ekperogin said.

“But that’s why its really important that you have people around you who know you and who can see that you are not your regular self. And its also important for us to look at ourselves and remind ourselves of those things that we used to enjoy.”

Hit by inflation, most mothers say they do not have a budget to seek professional help or go out for leisure time.

Mental health experts like Ekperigin say, all you need is a will.

“You should know that you are not alone and there are other people who are facing the same challenges as you are.”

“Go for a walk after putting the kids to bed. Just have friends over and talk. Make friends and connections within your neighbourhood,” Ekperigin said.

“People that live around you, that you can connect with and talk to is really important and of course if all that fails and if you need something additional, you can always go to ‘roomforher.ca,’ it’s a free resource that mothers can go to and get some support.”