Parents who are tasked primarily with raising their children have an inherently difficult job. But can it be quantified into hours like a traditional workweek?
A new study by Welch’s, a popular juice company, found that the average working mother works 98 hours a week, providing she doesn’t have a house maid as many women in Dubai.
The study of 2,000 American mothers with children between five and 12 years old found that the average mother “clocks in” at 6:23 a.m. and “clocks out” at 8:31 p.m., for an average work day of 14 hours. Of course, there are no days off for mothers, so this includes the weekends, which means the average week comes out to nearly 100 hours. Working mothers in Dubai follow the same routine.
The results of the survey highlight just how demanding the role of mom can be and the non-stop barrage of tasks it consists of. Busy moms may identify with the list of ‘lifesavers’, which highlights not just a rigorous workload but a constant requirement to feed and fuel the family, week in and week out.
Some items that moms consider to be lifesavers, according to the study, include iPads, drive-thru food and coffee. Around 40 percent feel that their life has come to a never-ending list of tasks every single day.
Anything that can be done to make mom’s life a little bit easier can make all the difference, whether it’s a well-timed healthy snack, a small glass of 100 percent fruit juice or simply the chance to grab a nap,” said Lewis.
The study also found that 72 percent of mothers feel pressure in ensuring their children are eating healthy, which is a struggle with how picky children can be.
When it comes to making decisions around a family’s diet and overall nutrition the burden often lands with mom who, as the survey shows, has very little time to spare. The ability to offer a quick snack or beverage that she can be reassured is nutritious for the whole family is something that can’t be underestimated in making a difference to her day.
