Full panel video: Single Moms and the Mental Load

Work Life Everything co-founder Haley Swenson joined Montclair State University professor Shaniqua Bradley and Family Story executive director Nicole Rodgers for a groundbreaking panel about what we know so far about how single moms experience and manage the mental load, and the role that institutions and communities play in lightening or adding to their loads.

The panelists discussed myths about single moms, like that their workload must be double that of married parents, when research suggests divorced women do less housework than married women. Panelists also challenged the idea that single moms are indeed, “doing it alone,” and pointed to the trailblazing Black women have done to build child rearing communities they lean on to care for their children.

Panelists suggested child rearing institutions, such as schools, community organizations, and child care providers should develop accessible family support services to help both parents and children together, rather than focusing exclusively on children.

Shaniqua Bradley’s research suggests schools in particular burden parents with dense information and no support in understanding that information or making it actionable.

Haley Swenson recommended a UX or User Experience approach to designing social institutions.

Nicole Rodgers explored formalizing the roles of community members like "aunties" in supporting families and recognize a diversity of caregivers beyond just parents.

Panelists recommended surveying single mothers to better understand the mental load, how they carry it and how they share it with others, and conducting research on the differences in mental loads across countries, such as how the U.S. experience compares with those in strong social welfare countries like the Nordic countries.