time for – Misryoum reports survey results showing mothers crave “me” time more than fathers, amid ongoing unpaid caregiving strain.
Mother’s Day cards may be easy, but the real gift mothers want is harder to give: time for themselves.
Misryoum surveyed parents through a study of 288 mothers and 292 fathers. asking them to choose an ideal Mother’s Day or Father’s Day present from options such as time for yourself. a family activity. or a physical gift.. Across the board, many parents said they prefer to spend the day together, with shared family activities topping the list.
Still, the gap between what mothers want and what they experience at home is where the discomfort sets in. Nearly 40% of mothers reported making their own Mother’s Day reservations, adding to an already full workload.
That matters because “celebrating together” can sound comforting while the underlying stress remains unchanged. When caregiving and planning fall on one person, even a special day can become another item to manage.
For families with children under 18, Misryoum found that “me” time is more strongly desired by mothers than fathers.. The difference is especially stark for parents of school-aged children: mothers were far more likely to say they want time for themselves. while fathers were more inclined toward shared family activities.. Physical gifts were the least popular choice for both groups.
Misryoum also reports that mothers describe having less free time than fathers, and that lack of time is closely tied to the desire for personal downtime. Parents of younger children, particularly during the early years of caregiving, reported even less time to rest or recharge.
In this context. the most important driver appears to be not just work hours. but how fairly labor is distributed at home.. Mothers who felt household and caregiving responsibilities were unfairly shared reported significantly less free time regardless of employment status.. The issue is also described as “invisible” work: the continuous. decision-heavy tasks such as remembering schedules. tracking appointments. anticipating problems. and keeping the day moving.
This helps explain why some mothers view “free time” as something that doesn’t fully exist in practice.. Even when time off arrives. it can be interrupted. shared with children. or spent multitasking. making it feel less like a true reset.. Misryoum notes that this adds up to a wider “leisure gap,” with mothers having less leisure time than fathers.
At the same time, expectations may be outpacing reality.. Misryoum reports that only a small portion of mothers with young children expect to receive time for themselves. despite far more saying they want it.. Among those with school-aged children, more mothers both hope for and want personal time, but the mismatch still runs deep.
The takeaway for households this Mother’s Day. as Misryoum frames it. is simple: mothers are not only asking for affection. they are asking for relief from the constant mental load.. A “momcation. ” in other words. is less about a getaway and more about getting space from the clock and the ongoing decisions that never quite stop.. In a moment meant for appreciation, many mothers are essentially asking to feel free for once.