Cleaning uniforms, making breakfast and doing the ironing: The 26 morning tasks that make mum super

  • Eight in ten mothers admit they find it hard to remember everything
  • It takes an average of six hours, 45 minutes a day to run a household

They don’t call her supermum for nothing... the average mother carries out 26 tasks every morning, a survey has found. 

Not only does she have to send her children off to school with teeth brushed and dinner money in pockets, she also has to pack PE kits, snacks and drinks into rucksacks and ensure homework is ready to be handed in.

Her to-do list also includes making breakfast, dressing the children – and making sure their uniform is clean – and remembering appointments such as at the doctor’s.

Busy: Mothers have to remember 26 tasks before their children have even gone to school

Busy: Mothers have to remember 26 tasks before their children have even gone to school

To-do list: Just keeping the family ticking over takes an average of six hours and 45 minutes a day, the survey said

To-do list: Just keeping the family ticking over takes an average of six hours and 45 minutes a day, the survey said

This is on top of 12 major jobs she has to do in the day, such as the school run. In total she dedicates six hours and 45 minutes a day to the smooth running of her family.

But 85 per cent of the 2,000 mums surveyed said their workload can become ‘too much’, with Mondays being the toughest day of the week.

And a frazzled 80 per cent of mums admitted it is hard to remember everything they need to do each day. The research also found more than 70 per cent of mums had no help from their partner with child-related tasks.

THE BUSY MOTHER'S CHECKLIST

1. Brushing children's teeth
2. Having clean uniforms ready
3. Remembering appointments
4. Getting the kids to school on time
5. Keeping on top of dates like classmates' birthdays
6. Laundry
7. Making children’s breakfast
8. Remember lunch boxes/ dinner money
9. Cooking an evening meal
10. Making sure the cupboards are stocked
11. Getting the children to bed on time
12. Making sure they eat their breakfast
13. Making sure they take a drink to school
14. Ironing
15. Reading homework and preparing for tests
16. Making sure they have a rain coat
17. Remembering P.E. kit and other essentials
18. Remembering permission slips
19. Brushing their children’s hair
20. Making sure they take their homework in to school
21. Putting sun cream on before they go to school
22. Ensuring they’ve gone to the toilet before car trips
23. Making sure the pets are fed
24. Keep on top of uniform and mending if needs be
25. Remembering afterschool clubs
26. Keeping on top of daily medications and vitamins

And 60 per cent have had arguments with their other half because they feel they are expected to remember everything for everyone in the family.

With so many tasks to remember, the study commissioned by eye awareness campaign Jul-Eye revealed 80 per cent of mums have forgotten to pick up their child from school.

Meanwhile, a quarter of mums have had the horrible realisation that their child needs a fancy dress costume the next day, and were forced to stay up late cobbling one together.

Jul-Eye optician Andy Hepworth said: ‘With 26 things to juggle on a daily basis it’s no wonder mums forget important tasks.

'It’s clear they are the heartbeat of the household and are constantly working to ensure a great home life for their loved ones.

‘Of course, given the amount they juggle day to day, it can mean important things like booking and attending an eye exam for their children every year can get missed.

‘The Jul-Eye campaign, which launches today, will act as a reminder to mums  to make sure they get their children’s  eyes examined.

'Neglecting an eye exam can be dangerous, because as well as checking sight, it can also detect any unnoticed health conditions like diabetes, and can give an indication of overall health.'

The survey did not cover the tasks fathers must remember or their role in helping bring up children.

Juggling: One of the tasks is ensuring children go to school with all the right equipment including PE kits and musical instruments

Juggling: One of the tasks is ensuring children go to school with all the right equipment including PE kits and musical instruments

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