The Invisible Mental Load: Why Working Moms Feel So Overwhelmed | With Paige Connell

In this episode of MOMents, Madge Booth sits down with Paige Connell to break down the mental load of working moms — the invisible planning, organising and emotional labour that keeps households running and leaves so many women exhausted.They unpack why the mental load is so draining, especially for ambitious, high-achieving women trying to balance career, motherhood and relationships. You’ll learn how to put language to the invisible work you carry, how to start healthier conversations about sharing responsibilities at home, and how to move toward a more equal partnership.Paige shares practical strategies for reducing overwhelm, building trust, creating household systems that actually work, and redefining success beyond burnout. The conversation also explores how gender roles and societal expectations shape work-life balance, the unique challenges single moms face, and how we can raise children who understand fairness and shared responsibility.Chapters00:00 Understanding the Mental Load02:47 Communicating the Invisible Work04:48 Defensiveness and Gender Roles07:08 Societal Expectations and Parenting10:23 Trust and Control in Household Management12:30 The Work of Parenting vs. Relationship Dynamics14:58 Creating a System for Managing the Mental Load17:12 Navigating Solo Parenting Challenges19:53 Preparing the Next Generation23:16 Final Thoughts and ReflectionsFind out more about Paige's work: https://bio.site/sheisapaigeturnerFollow MOMents Omnimedia:Instagram:   https://www.instagram.com/moments_omnimedia/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572218987263&locale=mt_MT# LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/company/moments-omnimedia Website: https://www.momentsmedia.co.za/ #MentalLoad #ParentingTips #WorkingMoms #EmotionalLabor #ParentingLife #FamilyDynamics #InvisibleWork #HouseholdManagement #GenderRoles #SharingTheLoad #ParentingWithoutBurnout