Understanding The Invisible Mental Load: One Sheet of Paper at a Time

Today Shauna is sharing a conversation she had with her 9-year-old that helped her explain what the mental load of motherhood really feels like—and how something that seems small can actually be a lot when it’s stacked on top of everything else. From prepping for church to managing her jam-packed family calendar, she opens up about the invisible work that often goes unnoticed and how we’re learning to communicate better as a family.

We also talk about a recent miscommunication with Colby that turned into an important moment of growth for both of them—and a reminder that taking something off our plate isn’t as simple as it might look. If you’ve ever felt like everyone’s “shortcut,” this episode will hit home.

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Episode Highlights

[1:12] - Explaining the mental load with a stack-of-paper analogy
[4:50] - The invisible to-do list running through my brain on a typical Sunday
[9:03] - Teaching kids to help without adding more to my plate
[14:15] - How we’ve evolved our family calendar (and why I love the Skylight)
[18:47] - The “just tell me” moment with Colby that led to a deeper convo
[24:10] - Why being everyone’s go-to resource can feel more draining than helpful
[28:35] - Lightening the mental load vs. stretching your capacity

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Links & Resources

• Skylight Calendar – Shauna's favorite family tool for syncing schedules, chores, and more

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