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Flowing Brown Fabric

The High Functioning Motherhood Index

Exploring the mental and emotional load mothers carry and its effect on Maternal Identity

International Women's Day celebrates visibility.
Mother's Day celebrates the role.

We are here for the woman behind the role.
 

Research has increasingly highlighted aspects of this experience, such as the mental load, emotional labour and the unequal distribution of unpaid work within families.

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Yet many mothers still describe a quieter phenomenon of appearing calm, capable and organised on the outside, while privately holding an extraordinary level of responsibility underneath.

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We have started referring to this pattern as High Functioning Motherhood.

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A mum in her 30's who is well dressed but working on her laptop while looking after childr
A mum in her 30's who is well dressed but working on her laptop while looking after childr

The Index is a reflection exploring:

The invisible mental load of motherhood

The emotional and organisational responsibility mothers carry

How modern motherhood shapes a woman's identity

By sharing your experience, you are contributing to a growing conversation about how motherhood is actually being experienced today.

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Insights from the Index will be shared over time to highlight patterns emerging from mothers' responses.

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The aim is simple, to bring greater visibility to the invisible architecture of modern motherhood.

 

The responses will be used to identify themes and patterns in the experience of modern motherhood. Individual responses will never be shared.

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If you are a mother and would like to contribute your perspective, share your experience below. You will receive a gift in your inbox for your support.

1. How often do you feel responsible for keeping everything running smoothly in your family?
2. How often do you find yourself mentally tracking things others don't notice? (Appointments, Schedules, Emotional Dynamics and Planning Ahead)
3. When people ask how you you are coping with motherhood, what feels most true?
4. How much of your time and mental energy goes towards anticipating the needs of others?
5. Since becoming a mother, how connected do you feel to the woman you were before the role?
6. When you think about the responsibility you carry in your family, what feels most accurate?

Where should we send your gift?

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The Index is part of an ongoing exploration into the phenomenon of High Functioning Motherhood and we would like to thank you for your contribution to a deeper conversation about modern motherhood.

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