It’s back-to-school season.
Which means if your head’s spinning already, you’re in good company.
The school emails have started rolling in. The late-start days, the supply lists, the form that was due yesterday, the swimming gear you just remembered in the middle of a meeting.
And somehow it’s still your job to hold it all together. That invisible load is real. The remembering, the coordinating, the reminding, the picking up all the pieces. It’s not just tiring. It’s heavy.
And it’s constant. According to Forbes, parents spend an average of 30.4 hours a week on mental load tasks like scheduling, planning, and organizing. That’s nearly a full-time job on top of everything else.
And if you're a mother, you’re probably carrying more than your share. A recent study found that mothers handle 71% of the family’s mental load, compared to just 29% for dads. No wonder so many of us are exhausted before the day even starts.
Here are a couple of gentle ideas other families are trying:
A few parents are picking one or two regular days each week and letting their kids share that with friends. It keeps things simple and avoids the daily 3pm negotiations.
Instead of doing everything on the fly, a quick message like “Want to take turns with drop-offs this term?” can go a long way. Most people are relieved when someone else makes the first move.
Every parent has their own way of managing the chaos. You probably have a few clever hacks already. Share them with a friend. We’re all figuring it out together. And if you’re still carrying most of it in your head, I’d love to help.
Here’s what I do:
- I read the school emails (and anything else that comes your way)
- I pull out what actually matters
- I create events and tasks automatically so you don’t have to
- Forward me screenshots, PDFs, and even that crumpled birthday invite you just found at the bottom of the backpack
- I help you share the load with your partner, your in-laws, your sitter, whoever’s in your village
Last year, families who used PAM told us they felt real relief: 25 percent said their mental load stress dropped by 70 percent. The vast majority said their family life felt almost 50% lighter, easier, and more connected. If that sounds like the kind of help you could use right now, give me a try.
And if you know someone else who’s juggling it all too feel free to send this their way (maybe a friend, a co-parent, someone who’s always one email behind).
You might be taking a weight off for someone who really needs it.
We’ve got this,
PAM
Your Personal Admin Manager
