3 Signs You’re ‘Quiet Cracking’ As A Parent

2025 was the year of ‘quiet cracking’ – a term used to describe employees who continued to show up for work, but struggled in silence while doing so.

These are people who are less likely to leave their jobs (it’s not exactly a booming job market out there) and instead internalise any issues or gripes for fear of repercussions at work – or simply because they don’t think anything will change.

Discussing the phenomenon, Guy Thornton, founder of HR company PracticeAptitudeTests, previously told HuffPost UK it isn’t laziness or a flaw in work ethic, but rather a “sign that your mind and body are trying to cope with something unsustainable”.

And in 2026 the term is now being used in parenting circles too, which is perhaps unsurprising considering surveys have found nine in 10 mums have experienced burnout.

Signs of ‘quiet cracking’ at work can look like being constantly busy but not getting much done, consistently ignoring work emails, and collaborating less with coworkers; but what does it look like for parents?

Here, Anna Mathur, a psychotherapist and author of How To Stop Snapping At The People You Love (As Well As The Ones You Don’t) , shares three signs to be mindful of.

If the things you used to make space for now feel like ‘effort’, and you feel flat when you do engage, this is worth paying attention to.

“Joy requires capacity – we need energy to engage and really lean into these moments, and when your tank is empty, even good things can just feel like another demand,” Mathur told HuffPost UK.

If you can’t remember the last time you really laughed hard, that can be a bit of a red flag, she suggested.

We all lose our patience every now and then, but when being snappy and reactive becomes your norm – leading to guilt and shame – then “it’s a sign that you’re depleted and don’t have stores to draw from in stressful moments”.

Mathur explained: “Your amygdala (fire alarm part of your brain) becomes more sensitive and reactive, meaning you have less ability to feel like you can choose how to respond when things get stressful or tough.”

Parents who are ‘quiet cracking’ might still find they’re very efficient: they’re getting work done, cooking meals and getting the kids from A to B each day.

“Everything, to the main, is still getting done, and nothing looks like a crisis,” said Mathur. “But inside you feel flat and disconnected from your own life – kind of hollow.”

If all of these resonate, it might be a sign you’ve reached capacity. So, what can we actually do about it?

Firstly, resist the instinct to try harder. If you’re experiencing signs of ‘quiet cracking’, Mathur said it shows that the demand is unsustainable, “and whilst we can pledge to try harder, find hacks or dig deeper, the answer is to reduce pressure not increase it”.

It can also help to speak the feeling out loud to someone, she shared. Saying, “I think I’m depleted/burning out” can feel surprisingly cathartic – it can also help you vocalise that you need more support.

Now for the harder part: look at what you’re carrying and figure out how you can ease the load. Can you delegate tasks?

Researchers have found there are eight types of mental load so it’s worth going through these and figuring out where you’re being weighed down – and what can be done about it. You can take a mental load audit online to figure out where to even begin.

“Ask yourself what support is missing and who might help, or how might the load be made lighter,” said Mathur.

And lastly, don’t forget to tend to your basic needs during this time: getting enough sleep (where possible), eating a balanced diet, prioritising movement (even a short walk each day or a bit of yoga before you hit the hay) and seeking genuine rest where you can.