Parenting is supposed to be a team sport, but for many families, one person ends up carrying the bulk of the load. That person becomes the “default parent”—the go-to for every question, meltdown, snack request, and forgotten school form. Being the default parent isn’t always announced or agreed upon; it just sneaks up, until one day it feels like the entire household is running on your energy alone.
While it may seem noble to juggle it all, the truth is that it can quietly drain your patience, joy, and sense of self. If you’ve ever wondered why you feel like the CEO, assistant, and janitor of your family all at once, these signs will hit home.
