There’s an unspoken weight many mothers carry, something often referred to as the “mental load.”
It’s the constant, often invisible, responsibility of caring for everyone’s needs, ensuring everyone’s happiness, and holding every piece of the family puzzle in place.
And this mental load of motherhood doesn’t turn off at bedtime. In fact, for many mothers, that’s when it intensifies.
While dads often have the luxury of simply going to bed, moms lie awake, mentally combing through the day. Did they eat enough veggies? Was there too much screen time? Was I attentive enough? The worries spiral, touching everything from what happened today to whether something small might affect their child’s future — their education, their relationships, even their happiness. And if you’ve ever laid in bed regretting something you did or said years ago, you know this load has no timeline.
What’s challenging, too, is that this mental load isn’t necessarily visible. To anyone on the outside, a mother may look like she’s “got it all together.” But internally, many of us are navigating a never-ending checklist. And while moms are often biologically wired to care deeply, there are limits.
We need help, empathy, and, sometimes, for partners to jump in without us having to ask.
Then when the burn out comes, it´s usually too late.
So, to all the partners out there: recognize this load, see its weight, and understand that it’s often too much. Don’t wait for the signs of burnout; help ease the mental load now.
コメント