Peace at Home Blog

Lighten Mom’s Mental Load to Boost Kids’ Mental Health

May 2025 | Louise Edwards

Parenting can feel like a full-time job… on top of your full-time job.  The invisible mental load can be exhausting.

If you’re constantly juggling tasks and wondering why it feels so hard—you’re not alone. 

Perhaps even more important: it isn’t serving you, your partner or your kids. Parental stress and strife is a significant factor in creating anxiety and stress in kids.

I clearly remember the burden of feeling it was all on me, Whether “it” was the household chores, sticking to routines, ensuring the full course of antibiotics was taken or getting everyone to bed with teeth brushed at a reasonable hour. I did it all while silently (and not so silently) fuming.

As a recovering perfectionist and neat freak, I have to admit part of the burden was self-imposed. Convinced as I was, that everything had to be perfect, the idea of showing my spouse how to do these things (yes, I did think he had to be trained), was simply too tiring. All of which meant it was easier to do it myself.   

The impact was that he didn’t step up. Why would he? My standards were so high no one (not even me) was going to meet them. What we ended up with was resentment on my part and a sort of learned helplessness on his. None of which added to the well-being of my family.

What I know now is a burden shared really can be a burden halved and it feels good! There is joy and connection in steering the ship as a family. Messing up here or there isn’t a disaster. Just make sure you get all those antibiotics in

Not sure where or how to start sharing the load? Watch previously hosted workshop, “Lighten Mom’s Mental Load to Boost Kids’ Mental Health,” here, a powerful workshop designed to help you shift the weight, restore balance, and reconnect with your partner—and yourself.

In this session, you’ll discover:

• How reducing your stress and overwhelm can create a happier, healthier home for both you and your kids
  
• The surprising link between fair division of tasks and deeper intimacy
  
• A simple mindset shift that reduces resentment and boosts teamwork
  
• The truth about the “perfect parent” myth—and how to let it go
  
• Research-backed tools for building a more joyful, equitable home life where kids and parents can flourish.
  

When responsibilities are shared more fairly, families thrive. You’ll leave this workshop feeling seen, supported, and ready to make lasting change—starting at home.

Lighten the load. Boost Kid’s Mental Health. Strengthen your family. Join us.

Looking for More Support?

• Search for what you need
• Explore our Resource Guides, with quick videos and other resources, for every age and stage
• Check our calendar of live events

Questions? Email us at solutions@peaceathomeparenting.com

And now for the shameless plug…
Don’t have a Peace at Home Parenting Portal? Let’s fix that. Ask your company, school, or favorite neighborhood group to join us. We’ve got Corporate, K-12 School, and Family Service programs that bring calm to the chaos—no yoga mat required. Click here to join as an individual or family.