How to cope with a constantly talking, high-energy child
A child's nonstop talking, movement, and constant 'go mode' can severely overstimulate parents who have a naturally quieter personality. This constant sensory overload leads to deep exhaustion and feelings of guilt when parents struggle to match their child's relentless energy.
What the numbers show
Counted from the threads quoted below. How we count
- The most recent one is from October 2026.
- This comes up 15.8× more often in r/Parenting than across the site as a whole.
What people tried
Every workaround mentioned in the threads below. We haven’t tested any of them — and nobody here is claiming they worked.
Found another way around this?
Share your steps and trade-offs so fellow engineers don't have to reinvent the wheel. No account required.
- 1Taking breaks and asking for quiet time when feeling overstimulatedDid this help you?
- 2Enrolling children in high-energy sports and activities like hockey, football, or swimming to burn off energyDid this help you?
- 3Reminding oneself of the positive aspects or future perspective to cope with the exhaustionDid this help you?
- 4Gently coaching the child on social skills and impulse controlDid this help you?
- 5venting onlineDid this help you?
- 6losing temperDid this help you?
- 7Hiring a babysitter or nanny for a few hoursDid this help you?
- 8Outsourcing other chores like cleaningDid this help you?
- 9Having a partner take over childcare dutiesDid this help you?
- 10Going out shopping or to workout classes after the child's bedtime or before they wake upDid this help you?
- 11Reducing work hours to part-timeDid this help you?
- 12Talking to a professional therapist or counselorDid this help you?
- 13Trying to manage the emotional reaction independently at homeDid this help you?
- 14Waiting for children to grow older and more independentDid this help you?
- 15Finding short periods of time for personal activities like taking a bath or watching a showDid this help you?
- 16Trying to arrange childcare or rely on family members for helpDid this help you?
- 17Implementing chore routines with older kids to help manage tasksDid this help you?
- 18Waiting for children to grow older and enter schoolDid this help you?
- 19Using independent activities like coloring or playpens to carve out brief moments of restDid this help you?
- 20Capitalizing on nap timesDid this help you?
- 21Trying to do usual enjoyable activities like festivals and going out to eat with the kidsDid this help you?
- 22Trying to give each other kid-free time or planning date nights in after the children go to sleepDid this help you?
- 23Using infant relief products like gas drops and car seat cameras to manage cryingDid this help you?
- 24Waking up earlier than the child to drink coffee in silenceDid this help you?
- 25Lowering standards by letting kids eat simple foods like nuggets or crackersDid this help you?
- 26Setting timers to alternate between chores and active playDid this help you?
- 27Using screen time as a break to restDid this help you?
- 28Taking antidepressants or seeking help from partners, family, and communityDid this help you?
- 29Following the 1 hour awake, 2 hours asleep scheduleDid this help you?
- 30Enforcing naps earlier, such as after 30 minutes of awake timeDid this help you?
- 31Using tether training or place training to help the dog settle outside of a crateDid this help you?
- 32Taking the puppy out for a potty break to rule out bathroom-related agitationDid this help you?
- 33Shifting mindset to remember the puppy is having a hard time, not intentionally giving a hard timeDid this help you?
- 34Giving the dog bones or chews to keep them busy during chores.Did this help you?
- 35Tethering the dog to a sturdy object nearby with a stuffed Kong toy.Did this help you?
In their words
Unedited, grouped by where they were said, most upvoted first within each place, each linked to the thread it came from.
“Writing this as I've been bawling for last 30 minutes genuinely wondering how do other moms do it? How do you wake up everyday energetic for your kid?”source ↗
“I have been dreading being alone with my 2 years old because meals are a struggle, and leaving the house takes 20 minutes of prep and I'm just drained all day.”source ↗
“I try to humor him as much as I can, but sometimes I just have to tell him I need some quiet time because I'm overstimulated.”source ↗
“Since kid no.3 came into the picture I have been more and more exhausted (duh). I have said many times that I've never been as tired as I am now, but I am constantly just getting more tired, and there is no end in sight.”source ↗
“I feel like I have no inner life of my own any more, everything I do and think has to be about the family.”source ↗
“There is always someone crying, wanting something, needing help to wipe, preparing food, making the youngest nap, going for walks to the park, and so on.”source ↗
“I am not coping well. My husband is not coping well. I am afraid this second baby is going to cost me my marriage.”source ↗
“Now baby 2 is here and he has been 20x more difficult than my first. He has reflux, cries constantly if he’s awake, won’t be put down during the day, and isn’t sleeping well at night.”source ↗
“My first born has always been a handful. He talks CONSTANTLY, is very argumentative, always has to be making noise and moving, and is constantly on go mode. I am the complete opposite of this, and I find the way he acts so incredibly annoying. I feel terribly guilty for feeling this way.”source ↗
“I have no advice but I also have a talker who is very very active. Sometimes I tell everyone in the house (so it’s not directed at specific people) that I’m overwhelmed and need a break from the noiselol”source ↗
“I have an 8 year old son who is the same. No advice sorry but solidarity. It is exhausting at times but I only have 1 child.”source ↗
“I can not deal with the screaming. It’s so shrill and high pitched and completely overloads my nervous system.”source ↗
“Secondly, the kids are always fighting one another. And thirdly, I swear to god I’m talking to a brick wall all day every Day.”source ↗
“I’ve got 3 under 3, I know exhaustion.”source ↗
“I am in physical pain thinking about how he feels. I am anxious, stressed, and also crying (not in front of him obviously). I feel his pain so much and I can hardly bear it.”source ↗
“How do I separate my emotions from his, and not feel them so much?”source ↗
“I can barely sleep or eat.”source ↗
“It’s not about the situation. It’s about seeing my son in emotional distress.”source ↗
“Well I can’t afford a therapist, hence why I’m asking for advice on Reddit lol. So do you have any advice on how to stop feeling my child’s emotions so strongly?”source ↗
“Currently in the thick of it with a 3 year old and 3 month old.”source ↗
“I have an almost 4 year old and a 10 month old. Right now I can give the 4 year old an activity like coloring and put baby in the playpen with a frozen tether and get at least 15 mins to lounge on the couch.”source ↗
“I’m trying to find a work/life balance. When I get off of work it just feels like more work when I get home because now it’s parenting.”source ↗
“I have an almost 7 month old lab and omg I feel like I’m losing my shit.”source ↗
“I’m just so over stimulated. Feel like my marriage is falling apart and we are just exhausted. Seriously reconsidering this decision in getting a dog.”source ↗
“My 6 month old seems so wound up and over excitable most of the time unless he's REALLY tired and even then he can be pretty sharky.”source ↗
“I'm just feeling the teen dog overwhelm and need reassurance that it isn't going to always be like this.”source ↗
“I just need to know that it'll get better because this shark/raptor hybrid is a LOT right now. 😭”source ↗
“How to tell difference between overtired and not mentaly/physicaly tired? Both definitions sound same. Our golden puppy (10 weeks) is manace after like 30min of awake time.”source ↗
“man i remember 7 months being the absolute worst. they look like a real dog but still have that puppy brain and zero impulse control. it's like a velociraptor phase but bigger.”source ↗
Where this came up
People with this problem also raised
- 4My child is constantly loud but their hearing is fine
- 3Why does my child switch from crying to laughing so fast?
- 11How to handle high energy kids who act out in public classes
- 7How to stop doing exhausting children's birthday parties
- 6Why do I feel completely disconnected from my child?
- 13How to cope with an intense, high-needs toddler