Why Millennial & Gen Z Parents Are Talking About Money Dysmorphia

""Cycle-breaking" is a buzzy term in the parenting zeitgeist. Millennial and Gen Z parents often strive to be more emotionally attuned to their little ones - less "do this because I said so" and more "I see you're having a tough time." But today's parents of young children likely grew up and graduated from high school or college amid tough financial times, leading to a rising trend of what's known as "money dysphoria.""

""People with money dysphoria often feel chronically anxious, overwhelmed, and stressed about their finances," explains Dr. Emily Guarnotta, a psychologist and the owner of Phoenix Health. "It can also include obsessive thoughts about money and feeling like a person does not have enough of it. This stress often trickles into other areas of a person's life, like their relationships. These relationships include the ones we have with our children,""

""Finances are a significant source of stress for many new parents, and chronic stress is a risk factor for experiencing mental health conditions during the perinatal period, like postpartum anxiety and depression," Guarnotta shares. "Children also learn a lot about their own relationships with money by observing their parents. You might unintentionally project your own fears onto your child, which can shape how they feel about money as they get older.""

Money dysphoria describes chronic anxiety, obsessive thoughts, and persistent feelings of not having enough money. The phenomenon is common among Millennial and Gen Z parents who grew up during economic instability. Persistent financial stress can spill into relationships and daily functioning. For new parents, chronic stress elevates the risk of perinatal mental health conditions, including postpartum anxiety and depression. Children observe and learn parents' emotional responses to money, which can shape their future money beliefs and behaviors. Effective responses include recognizing symptoms, treating anxiety, improving financial planning, and modeling calm, intentional money conversations to break the intergenerational cycle.

Read at Scary Mommy