Here’s how to help moms lighten mental load from household tasks
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Three things a partner should do to help lighten a mother’s workload
- A study published in the Journal of Marriage and Family in December 2024 revealed that mothers undertake 71 per cent of the mental workload associated with managing a household.
- The research indicates that mothers predominantly handle core daily tasks related to family well-being, whereas fathers typically manage episodic tasks concerning maintenance and finances.
- Dr. Sue Varma, a board-certified psychiatrist, highlighted that mothers often experience an emotional overload, stemming from anticipating potential issues and being the primary contact for children's needs.
- To help alleviate this significant burden, partners are encouraged to do three things; acknowledge the mental load, proactively initiate household tasks, and engage in consistent communication and shared decision-making.
- Experts advise women to communicate their needs clearly to partners, fostering a collaborative environment where partners actively ask how they can assist and participate in responsibilities.