the Wedding Planner

UK Wedding News

25/06/2014

Mums Now Look After Six Family Members – And A Pet

A new study has revealed that the average mother now looks after six different family members and one pet – as well as holding down a job.

The research, carried out by Care.com, found that in addition to their children, mums are now also caring for an elderly parent, or parent-in-law, and a grandparent, or grandparent-in-law. At least one other relative will also be cared for by mothers, as well as their partner – and the family pet.

In fact, according to the survey, some 89% of mothers said they felt like they are always having to care for other people, with the average mum spending a total of four hours 34 minutes each day, actively caring for others. This compares to the hour and 58 minutes they get to themselves each day. A further 70% said that taking care of others means they no longer have enough time to spend with their partner or friends.

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When it comes to caring for others, cooking meals or feeding others is the most common job, as is washing clothes, doing the housework and running errands. Taking others to appointments, carrying out their shopping and cleaning or bathing family members were also on the list.

As if that wasn't enough, 71% of the 2,000 mums polled also hold down a job.

Liz Fraser, Care.com Modern Family Expert, said: "As any mum knows, caring for children takes up a huge amount of time, but the children aren't the only ones in the family relying on mums.

"Many mums are part of what is now known as the 'sandwich generation', caring for their children as well as their elderly family members.

"Even if they are simply running errands for an elderly parent or grandparent or popping in to check that they are OK every now and then, it means time out of their day."

She continued: "In some cases, these multiple care responsibilities leave mums feeling guilty about the lack of time that they have to spend with their children, friends or partner and can also lead to little time for relaxing or simply doing something for themselves.

"This in turn, along with the pressures of work, can affect mothers' physical, emotional and social wellbeing."

(JP)

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"A new study has revealed that the average mother now looks after six different family members and one pet – as well as holding down a job."