Techxhausted is 2025’s parenting word of the year—and every screen-weary parent gets it

We’re all for innovation – and tech really can be a game-changer for parents. From bottle-feeding trackers to smart sleep mats, there’s no shortage of gadgets promising to make life easier.

But that ease comes at a cost – and it’s not just the batteries.

Parents are feeling the mental load of managing not only their children, but also the growing list of apps, subscriptions, devices and reminders that come with them.

It’s the “helpful” app that recommends a three-course dinner when you just wanted a lunchbox planner. The baby monitor that sends sleep analytics, but also constantly needs a software update. The bedtime story generator that sounds like it’s been written by a robot (because, well, it has).

Screens, sensors… and the guilt that comes with them

Of course, kids' tech brings its own challenges.

From tantrums over tablets to screentime limits that get pushed (or pushed back), managing children’s tech use has become a parenting job in itself.

And while some of it’s useful – CBeebies apps for long car journeys, mindfulness audio at bedtime – it’s also adding another layer of decision fatigue.

Should we be embracing the tech? Banning it? Or just figuring it out one WiFi dropout at a time?

The tech juggle is real, and parents are feeling it

Even when the gadgets work, there’s a growing sense that tech is creeping into every corner of parenting life – and not always in a helpful way.

If you spent Christmas morning trying to download an app just to set up your child’s overly complicated new toy, you're not alone. Whether it’s syncing the WiFi-enabled dollhouse, setting up parental controls on a tablet, or figuring out which cable fits this year’s must-have interactive plushie, tech has officially become part of the festive chaos, too.

There’s no simple fix – but recognising that parenting tech comes with both perks and pressure is the first step.

Whether you’re pro-gadget or going screen-free, the most important thing is doing what works for your family – and not feeling like you need to have a perfectly programmed parenting routine just because an app says so.

So next time your toddler tries to FaceTime the plumber from your smartwatch, just remember: it’s not just you. We’re all a little techxhausted.