The Invisible Workload: Why 75% of the Mental Load Lands on Primary Caregivers

Hosted by:

Neha Ruch, Sheila Lirio Marcelo, and Kanika Chadda-Gupta

The group chat summary

Caregiving often comes with an invisible workload that’s hard to name, let alone share. We were joined by Neha Ruch, Sheila Lirio Marcelo, and Kanika Chadda-Gupta for a thoughtful discussion on why the mental load exists, how it shows up in everyday life, and what it takes to begin sharing it more equitably.

🧠 What the mental load really is • The constant remembering, anticipating, and worrying that lives in your head
• Emotional labor layered on top of logistics like schedules, school emails, and meals
• The exhaustion that comes from holding it all, even when tasks are delegated

⚖️ Why it disproportionately falls on moms and default parents • Societal norms often position one parent as the default decision-maker
• Even in equitable households, the cognitive and emotional work can

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