Moms, it’s not your imagination, research shows mothers of school-age kids get significantly less sleep during the school year than during the summer. Economists analyzed data on school district schedules and looked at information from the American Time Use Survey to see how families use their time differently when school is in session and when it’s out.
They found that in addition to snoozing less, moms also spend less time exercising and have less free time during the school year:
- On average, moms sleep 25 minutes less, spend seven minutes less on exercise and have 28 minutes less free time during the school year than in the summer.
- Dads get less time for all of those things too, they sleep an average of 11 minus less, spend five fewer minutes on exercise and have 21 minutes less free time.
- Mothers also spend around a half an hour more every day taking care of others, including kids, during the school year. They also spend an extra five minutes on travel, which is often taking kids to and from school.
- While both moms and dads spend more time physically with their kids during the summer months, both spend more time actively engaged with their children during the school year. But for moms, it’s almost three times as much as it is for dads. Mothers spend an extra 34 minutes a day during the school year actively engaged with their kids - like helping them with homework - compared to an extra 12 minutes for fathers.
Source: Fortune
Scott's Thoughts:
- No wonder we were so tired when school’s back in session!
- My kids are older now so it doesn't really apply anymore.
- Summer is just another day to go to work for me.