"Signs of Kid Burnout"

drkanner — Fri, 13 Oct 2006 14:30:00 GMT

Watch this segment live on FITM this Monday, October 16th between 8:00 and 8:30a.m.

Background: 10 year-old Brian has always been considered a high achiever. Historically an excellent student and athlete, both he and his parents have consistently expected pristine performance and compliance towards whatever activity Brian dedicates himself towards. In a typical year, aside from a full and typical school day, he has also been enrolled in a multiple activities both after school and on the weekends. Last year he played afterschool soccer, had both a piano and guitar lesson every week, was taking Spanish lessons, and was additionally involved in his church group. Both Brian and his parents had been equally invested in his "busy" schedule. The only complaint that Brian ever made was that he had very little time to spend with friends and also really never had any time to "just relax". This type of scheduling had been habitual for Brian since he was 4 years old and his parents have always taken pride in Brian's accomplishments. Brian too seemed to feel accomplished as well. This year however, some changes were observed and concerns were raised by two of Brian's teachers at his school. Brian's mood and attitude seemed to significantly shift about a month into school. His typical high spirits and participation had been replaced with a sense of flatness and fatigue. His head was often seen as slumped, and his body language was described as "droopy" In addition, the quality of his work was slipping from superior to average and he had seemed to lose his typical love of school. At home, Brian for the first time had become resistant to practice piano and guitar and his soccer coach told his parents that he seemed to be "in outer space" when on the field. Such radical changes were discussed between Brian and his parents and the only thing that Brian could acknowledge was that he felt really "tired" and did not feel well.

This example highlights a common condition referred to as "Kid Burnout". Familiar in the literature are studies about adult conditions of occupational burnout, but very little has been in the research about this condition in children and adolescents despite both parents and educators alike have experienced frequent conditions like the one portrayed in the Brian example.

The general cause of burnout is due to an over-extention in one's capacity to normally function. When this level has been reached, which is highly subjective, psychological and often physical symptoms develop which can be as subtle as mood changes to more significant conditions such as physical illness. Ironically, the underlying intentions about heavy schedules and numerous activities and interests are in efforts of allowing children a wide range of activities to enrich their lives. In fact many times, high energy children ask for more and more and their parents sign them up for activities to make them happy and then feel guilty when their children become disgruntled when they begin to dislike the activity they wanted so badly.

As discussed in the adult literature, burnout is avoided by balance in one's life. The difference with adults and children however, is that children usually do not have the capacity to balance themselves and need their parents to use their intuition about their child to decide what is or is not too much, even if their child might desire the contrary. It is better to have a child who may be a little disappointed with their parents about not signing them up for too many activities than a child who becomes symptomatic due to burnout. There is always next year when a child can try something new and when parents help their children balance, this becomes a trait that internalizes in the child which then can eventually be independently practiced. Furthermore, the parents of the child also need to demonstrate balance in their lives for children will frequently imitate what they observe in their parents.

Major Signs Of Burnout In Kids:

1. personality changes
2. a newfound lack of interest
3. sad or consistently tired mood
4. attentional problems
5. changes in the quality of performance
6. physical complaints/fatigue
7. statements of dislike

Dr. Keith Kanner
Show Host
Your Family Matters
Fox6 News - San Diego

Your Family Matters : Middle Childhood

"Signs of Kid Burnout"