In recent years the role of mother has been reassessed and treated with the seriousness it deserves, after history consigned mothers to an almost invisible, taken-for-granted role for far too long. Being a mother demands commitment and dedication, yet in the past this role was often not equated with that of a proper job, as though full-time parenting were easy and less demanding than working in a company or an office. Confirmation that this is not the case comes in the form of the news of a survey conducted in the United States by the American drinks company Welch's.

A mother works an average of 98 hours a week

By putting questions to two thousand mothers of children aged between 5 and 12, the survey found that a mother's day typically begins at 6:23 in the morning, well before anyone getting up to go to the office. On average, a mother's typical day ends at 8:31 in the evening. In other words, 14 hours of work every single day, since a mother certainly cannot take the weekend off. This brings the working week of those surveyed to no fewer than 98 hours of work: in Italy the standard is 40 hours, though there has recently been discussion of reducing it to 35, as has already happened in other European countries. Mothers are therefore close to the 100-hour threshold — more than double the national average.

A little free time for personal hobbies

It is not all work, however: the survey into a mother's day also highlighted that mothers take just over an hour of free time each day for themselves — not unlike a regular lunch break, which cannot easily be stretched. A "siesta" during this window is usually the favourite pastime, illustrating how the physical toll should not be underestimated. A cup of coffee and a glass of wine are two other staples mentioned by the mothers surveyed: the first to recharge and get through the day, the second to switch off and unwind once the children are in bed. Eighty-three per cent of those surveyed also said they make a point of ensuring the family eats healthy, natural food, while 4 in 10 admit that their lives are filled with endless unexpected events.

Yoga and a babysitter: a helping hand for mum

Many women in the survey indicated that yoga helps them relax and that having a reliable babysitter is their dream. Beyond the shared curiosities and pastimes, the survey sheds light on how motherhood is a job in every sense of the word. It is therefore essential to ensure that this role is respected and treated as such, because sustaining a 98-hour working week is not something everyone can manage.