Millennial Mom Has Theory on Why Parents Today Are 'Exhausted'

Newsweek - Mar 17th, 2025

Cassey Ahlas, a mother-of-four from Maryland, has sparked a widespread discussion on modern parenting challenges with her viral TikTok video. She attributes the exhaustion of today's parents to a lack of support from grandparents, who traditionally played a significant role in childcare. Ahlas recalls spending weekends and summers with her grandparents, a luxury she feels her children don't enjoy due to grandparents working longer because of economic demands. Her video resonated with many parents who shared similar experiences of feeling isolated and unsupported, while a few noted positive involvement from their children's grandparents.

Psychologist Vanessa Scaringi highlighted that many baby boomers continue working longer to sustain themselves amid rising living costs, limiting their availability for grandparenting. She also pointed out that many millennial parents live far from their own parents, complicating regular involvement. Scaringi suggests millennial parents communicate their needs to grandparents to set expectations and foster support. While Ahlas hopes her video will inspire older generations to be more involved, she continues to dream of simple pleasures like sleeping in on weekends, underscoring the ongoing challenges faced by modern parents.

Tik Tok Economic Impact Pew Research Center Cassey Ahlas Millennial Parents Grandparents Parenting Challenges Family Support Vanessa Scaringi Calm Counseling

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RATING

6.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article provides an insightful look into the challenges faced by millennial parents, particularly their feelings of exhaustion due to changing family dynamics and economic pressures. Its strengths lie in its timeliness, clarity, and engagement potential, driven by relatable anecdotes and expert commentary. However, the article could benefit from more balanced perspectives and higher-quality sources to enhance its accuracy and depth. Overall, it effectively raises awareness of an important issue but lacks the breadth of viewpoints and authoritative data needed for a more comprehensive analysis.

Accuracy

The article is generally accurate in portraying the sentiments of millennial parents regarding the exhaustion they feel due to parenting responsibilities. The claim about Cassey Ahlas' viral TikTok video is verifiable, as the article provides her handle and the number of views, indicating transparency and traceability. However, the Pew Research Center survey data requires verification to confirm the specific statistics mentioned about parental stress and exhaustion. The article also discusses economic and social factors affecting grandparent involvement, which aligns with expert opinions, but these claims would benefit from supporting data or studies to enhance accuracy.

Balance

The article presents a predominantly one-sided view that emphasizes the struggles of millennial parents without equally exploring the perspectives of grandparents or other family dynamics. While it includes a psychologist's comments to provide context, the article could benefit from more diverse viewpoints, such as those of grandparents or sociologists, to balance the narrative. The inclusion of a few comments from parents who have supportive grandparents helps to some extent, but the overall tone leans towards highlighting the challenges faced by millennial parents.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language, making it easy to follow. The logical flow from Ahlas' personal experiences to expert commentary helps readers understand the issue being discussed. The tone remains neutral, focusing on presenting the experiences and opinions of millennial parents without sensationalism. The clarity of the article is enhanced by the straightforward presentation of quotes and statistics, although some claims would benefit from additional context.

Source quality

The primary sources in the article are a TikTok video by Cassey Ahlas and comments from a psychologist, Vanessa Scaringi. While Ahlas' personal experience is relevant, it is anecdotal and lacks the authority of broader studies or data. The psychologist adds some credibility, but the article would benefit from more authoritative sources, such as academic studies or reports, to support its claims. The reliance on social media comments and personal anecdotes limits the depth of source quality.

Transparency

The article is relatively transparent in explaining the basis of its claims, particularly through direct quotes and references to Ahlas' TikTok video. The mention of the Pew Research Center survey adds an element of transparency, though the specific data should be verified. The article does not disclose any potential conflicts of interest, but it clearly attributes quotes and opinions, which aids in understanding the context of the claims made.