It’s 2023, and the concept of shared parenting is supposedly on the rise, yet it seems that moms still shoulder the lion’s share of responsibility. Despite the push for equal parenting, the narrative often defaults to blaming mothers for everything—including the fact that kids aren’t getting enough exercise. A recent study highlights this absurdity, revealing that it’s mom who bears the brunt of the blame when it comes to family physical activity.
Sponsored by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, the survey aimed to assess how much time moms spend engaging in physical activities with their children. The findings were disheartening: with jobs, household chores, and an endless list of responsibilities, moms find it tough to squeeze in time for family bike rides or outdoor games. The top three activities moms engage in are dinner, television, and homework—hardly the active lifestyle we hope to promote. Out of 1,154 mothers surveyed, only about half had taken a walk, run, or bike ride with their kids in the past week, and a mere 26 percent had played sports or danced with their children. Interestingly, there was no mention of how many dads were out there participating in family marathons after a long day at work—probably because no one bothered to ask.
This survey was conducted by a women’s magazine, which raises questions about the focus solely on moms instead of capturing family dynamics as a whole. Researchers hurriedly pointed out that sedentary behavior among mothers leads to rising obesity rates in children, urging moms to initiate family exercise time. But what about dads? Why do we automatically assume that it’s solely a mother’s duty to keep the family active?
Moms already juggle a myriad of expectations—from perfect pregnancies to ensuring their kids eat organic, gluten-free, Pinterest-worthy lunches. We’re expected to monitor screen time and remain emotionally stable to avoid scarring our children for life. Now, we’re also held responsible for ensuring our kids are physically active? It’s exhausting.
While I acknowledge that moms have a vital role in their children’s upbringing, the responsibility should not rest on our shoulders alone. It feels like a never-ending cycle of blame directed at mothers while fathers often escape scrutiny. My partner gets to be celebrated for simply showing up, while I am expected to be a superhero, managing all aspects of parenting.
I may be a role model for my children, but that doesn’t make me superhuman. The collective effort of both parents is crucial for raising healthy kids, and it’s high time we recognized that in surveys and studies. If you’re interested in learning more about family health and pregnancy, check out this excellent resource for pregnancy and home insemination: WomensHealth.gov.
For additional insights into the importance of shared parenting, take a look at one of our other blog posts here. And if you’re considering home insemination, Make a Mom offers reputable at-home insemination syringe kits to support your journey.
In summary, the narrative that places all responsibility on moms is not only unfair but also misleading. Both parents need to step up and share the load for the well-being of their families. Let’s strive for a more balanced approach to parenting, one that recognizes the contributions of both moms and dads.
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