“Is This Mom’s Resentment Over Babysitting Nine Kids for Her Husband’s Hobby Justified?”
After some months, she started to feel burnt out and noticed she doesn’t like it anymore
Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)
Image credits: FoxesFM
Moms take on the bigger part of childcare in heteronormative families
Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)
Raising kids really can take a village, and this story proves it. Even if you have family members and friends helping you out with childcare, it can still be a burden that weighs heavy on your mental health.
Sadly, the burden of childcare still falls onto the shoulders of women more often. During the pandemic, for example, the time mothers spent on secondary childcare (watching over their children while working, doing chores, or simply watching television) increased significantly.
This is just one example of how mothers are the default caregivers to children, whether it’s when their spouses need “me” time or when there’s no one else to care for the children. Women are also more likely to sacrifice their professional lives for family life. Women still spend more time on housework and childcare and fewer hours of paid work than men.
Parents turn to family, friends, and neighbors (FFN) to help them with childcare. However, often neither is an option. In one poll, almost half of American parents admitted having difficulty in finding childcare. And, as one study notes, only about one in four parents in America rely on an FFN caregiver for childcare.
Both parents need a break from looking after kids. They need time to destress, focus on their hobbies, or practice self-care. In the end, a burnt-out, fatigued parent is no good for a child. Parents need to be rested and healthy to provide adequate care.
There’s a hobby gender gap for married moms and dads
Image credits: unsplash (not the actual photo)
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