THE BURNOUT CRISIS
Moms* are not just financially strained, they are emotionally depleted.
The Burnout Crisis for Moms.
At Rise & Lead Moms, we recently reviewed the 2026 Cost of Care Report published by Care.com — and we want to thank them for continuing to surface data that makes the invisible visible.
Their nationwide survey of 3,000 U.S. parents reveals something we see every day in our community:
Parents are not just financially strained.
They are emotionally depleted.
And moms are carrying the heaviest burden!
Data referenced from the Care.com 2026 Cost of Care Report (survey of 3,000 U.S. parents). We thank Care.com for their continued research illuminating the realities families face.
The Emotional Reality Behind the Cost of Care
According to the 2026 report:
89% of parents feel burnt out
90% have lost sleep
88% are sacrificing personal goals
80% spend almost every waking hour focused on someone else
61% say their career ambitions have dimmed
59% have considered leaving their job
34% have considered suicide or self-harm
This is not a personal failure. It is a structural crisis.
Moms Are Absorbing the Impact
The data shows a clear gendered gap:
60% of moms feel overwhelmed juggling care and career (vs. 42% of dads)
Moms are significantly more likely to experience caregiving guilt
85% of moms spend nearly every waking hour focused on others
When mothers burn out, communities lose leaders.
This Is About Identity — Not Just Childcare
The report also reveals:
82% feel isolated
81% have cried from stress
76% report relationship burnout
Two-thirds feel guilty taking time for themselves
Nearly half have given up hobbies, friendships, and joyful activities
This is identity erosion.
Not because moms lack strength — but because they lack support.
The Leadership Cost
When 61% of parents say their career ambitions have dimmed due to care logistics and cost, we are looking at a leadership pipeline issue.
Moms are stepping back.
Scaling down.
Resigning.
Delaying impact.
Not because they lack drive.
But because the infrastructure to support both caregiving and leadership does not exist.
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
Rise & Lead Moms exists to respond to this reality.
We believe:
Mothers are not failing.
The system is failing them.
And when mothers are supported — emotionally, professionally, and collectively — families, communities, and movements become stronger.
We are building:
Coaching that honors both caregiving and leadership
Community that helps moms* rise — without burning out
Support for moms navigating activism, nonprofit leadership, and professional growth
This is not self-care as indulgence. This is leadership preservation.