I had one of those moments again where my kid asked me for something while my partner was sitting right there, and it made me realize how many of us have quietly become the default parent without ever deciding to. In this episode, I’m breaking down why that happens, not from a place of blame, but from understanding. Because when you see how this dynamic forms over time, it becomes so much easier to change it. If you’ve been carrying the mental load and wondering how it all ended up on your plate, this is going to give you a completely different perspective.

In this episode, we unpack:

1. What it really means to be the default parent (hint: it’s not about doing more tasks)
2. How childhood conditioning and early motherhood wire this pattern in
3. Why practice—not ability—keeps you stuck holding the mental load
4. The hidden role of perfectionism and standards in keeping control
5. How small daily patterns quietly turn into a one-person system

Work with me:

1. Ambitious & Balanced: www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/ambitiousandbalanced
2. Book your Break Free From Stress Strategy Call (with free Quiz!): www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/break-free-from-stress