# 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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