Working Parent Burnout

“Grounded in science and experience as well as compassion and empathy, Drs. Melnyk and Gawlik provide a clear actionable roadmap to help working parents combat burnout, restore well-being, and truly thrive. A must read for all parents!” - VADM (Ret) Richard Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS, 17th Surgeon General of The United States, Laureate Professor, University of Arizona

“As a working mom and pediatric nurse practitioner, I know firsthand how often parents carry quiet shame about not being able to ‘do it all.’ Working Parent Burnout: 8 Strategies to Thrive, Not Just Survive is the lifeline we’ve needed! Its grounded, practical, and deeply compassionate guidance replaces guilt with confidence.Parents don’t need more pressure. They need permission to let go of shame with a roadmap for thriving in the messy middle of real life. Dr. Melnyk and Dr. Gawlik deliver both. This book is a much-needed lifeline for working parents who are ready to trade survival mode for strength, support, and self-compassion.” - Jessica L. Peck DNP, APRN, CPNP-PC, CNE, CNL, FAANP, FAAN, Clinical Professor of Nursing, Louise Herrington School of Nursing

“A clear, compassionate guide for working parents, Working Parent Burnout blends real-life insight with strategies to help move from exhaustion to balance. The authors validate the challenges you face while offering practical tools to build resilience, prioritize self-care, and strengthen your connection with your children. This thoughtful book shows that thriving as a parent is not about perfection; it’s about finding realistic ways to feel present, capable, and supported.”- Eileen P. Ryan, DO, DFAPA, DFAACAP, Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Vice Chair of Clinical Affairs, The Ohio State College of Medicine and Wexner Medical Center

Kate Sustersic Gawlik

Dr. Kate Gawlik is a Clinical Professor, Family Nurse Practitioner, researcher, speaker, and nationally recognized expert on parental burnout. For nearly two decades, she has cared for families, taught future healthcare providers, and studied the realities of modern parenting with a blend of science, humor, and honesty that resonates with parents everywhere. Her groundbreaking work on parental burnout, including co-developing the world’s first scale measuring working parent burnout, has sparked international attention and meaningful conversations about what it truly means to balance caregiving, work, and wellness.

Kate’s research and expertise have been featured on the TODAY show and in The New York Times, WebMD, Parents, USA Today, Oprah Daily, Healthline, Yahoo News, and podcasts reaching audiences around the world. In addition to her work in wellness and population health, she has co-edited seven nursing textbooks and received multiple national awards for innovation and leadership in healthcare education and cardiovascular prevention.

Kate is most at home in the beautifully chaotic world of family life—where laundry multiplies overnight, someone is always hungry, and perfection is never the goal. She lives in Columbus with her husband, Jason, and their four somewhat mischievous children.

Bernadette Melnyk

Dr. Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk is recognized nationally and globally for both her clinical knowledge and her innovative approaches to a wide range of health care challenges. Currently, she serves as Vice President for Health Promotion and Chief Wellness Officer for The Ohio State University and is a professor of pediatrics and psychiatry at The Ohio State’s College of Medicine.

Dr. Melnyk received her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from West Virginia University, her Master of Science degree with a specialization in nursing care of children and pediatric nurse practitioner from the University of Pittsburgh. She earned her PhD in clinical research from the University of Rochester where she also completed her post-master’s certificate as a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.

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