A 2019 survey of 2,000 mothers found that they spend almost 100 hours per week on parenting duties, often sacrificing sleep and personal time. The study, commissioned by Campbell’s Well Yes! Sipping Soups, identified at least 15 roles mothers play, including chef and financial advisor. Despite the survey’s age, its findings remain relevant in contemporary society, highlighting the extensive demands of motherhood.
Mothers struggle to maintain nutritious diet
Many moms sacrifice sleep and personal time for their children, with over half reporting giving up sleep and nearly half sacrificing date nights, hobbies, and time with friends. They prioritize their children’s needs over their own, often eating on the run and struggling to maintain a nutritious diet due to their busy schedules.
Diego Palmieri, Chief Marketing Officer at Campbell Soup Company, acknowledges the challenges mothers face in balancing multiple responsibilities, often putting their own nutrition on the back burner. He emphasizes the importance of consuming nutritious foods but recognizes the difficulty for busy parents, especially mothers, to prioritize healthy eating.
Moms prioritize children’s nutrition over their own, with kids eating healthy foods 52% of the time compared to 39% for mothers. Mothers struggle to eat balanced meals daily, managing it only 44% of the time, while kids achieve this 68% of the time. They admit to meeting fruit and vegetable intake recommendations 34% of the time for themselves, but ensure their children hit 42%.
Moms spend less than an hour of personal time
Mothers spend significant time daily on childcare tasks, including meal prep, laundry, and creative activities, in addition to fulfilling various roles like chauffeur and tutor, totaling more hours than a full-time job.
Researchers discovered that if mothers were compensated for their parental duties, they would earn a substantial six-figure salary, amounting to $100,460 annually. Despite 70 percent of surveyed mothers holding full- or part-time jobs, they dedicate themselves to parenting tirelessly. However, this dedication leaves them with less than an hour of personal time daily, with 88 percent of mothers sacrificing sleep to reclaim this time, either by waking up early, staying up late, or both.
