From managing school pickups and grocery lists to excelling at work and remembering everyone’s birthdays, working mothers often carry an invisible burden known as the 'mental load.' It's the behind-the-scenes cognitive labour that keeps households running and families functioning. But unlike physical tasks, the mental load is hard to see — and even harder to put down.

1. What Is the Mental Load?

The mental load refers to the ongoing, often invisible planning, organising, anticipating, and remembering required to manage a household. For many working mothers, this load includes everything from booking doctor appointments and checking school newsletters to knowing which child likes their sandwich crusts cut off. It’s the constant scanning of 'what needs to happen next.'

2. Double Shift: The Work-Life Overlap

Many working mothers experience what sociologists call the 'second shift' — the unpaid labour they take on after their paid job ends. Even when a partner contributes, mothers are more often the default parent, the emotional manager, and the one who keeps the family calendar ticking. This overlap creates chronic stress, fatigue, and a feeling of never quite doing enough.

3. Emotional Labour and Responsibility

Beyond logistics, working mothers often carry the emotional weight of the family. They remember to check in on their children’s moods, soothe anxieties, and maintain family traditions. They anticipate others' needs — often at the expense of their own. This emotional labour is real work, and it’s draining.

4. Impact on Mental Health

The mental load can lead to burnout, anxiety, low mood, resentment, and relationship tension. Many working mothers feel isolated in their stress, unsure whether their exhaustion is 'normal' or something more. Telehealth therapy offers a confidential, accessible way to unpack this burden — especially for mothers who don't have time to travel to in-person appointments.

5. You Don’t Have to Do It All

There is no prize for doing it all alone. Seeking support isn’t weakness — it’s a wise step towards preserving your energy, your relationships, and your well-being. Therapy can help working mothers identify unhelpful expectations, set boundaries, and find strategies for sharing the load more equally.

Final Thoughts

At Therapy from Home, we understand the complex and often overwhelming experience of being a working mother. Our online psychologists provide compassionate, flexible support to help you manage the mental load — without adding another item to your to-do list. Because your wellbeing matters too.