Dr. Katie Schenk said it best in her widely shared LinkedIn post: “Today is NOT a normal working day.” When winter storms hit, schools close, and kids are home, working parents don’t get a day off—they get an impossible juggling act. For families in Washington, D.C., and across the snow-covered region, this week has been a perfect (snow)storm of caregiving chaos. And, as always, it’s moms who are left carrying most of the load.
In her post, Dr. Schenk painted the picture so many of us know too well: snowy roads, closed daycares, and three kids at home while both parents try to maintain a full workday. The reality? “Kids are probably going to pop into Zoom calls, and I might just have to have an extended lunch break to take them sledding!” Relatable. But also exhausting.
Working moms: The default parent in crisis mode
Here’s the thing: when things go south—a sick day, a snow day, or even an unexpected early dismissal—it’s often moms who are called first. Schools might have both parents’ numbers, but more often than not, it’s Mom’s phone that rings. She’s the one expected to drop everything, rearrange meetings, and figure out how to cover the gap.
It’s not just about convenience; it’s about deeply ingrained societal expectations. Even in families with egalitarian partnerships, moms are often seen as the “go-to” for caregiving emergencies. This isn’t just anecdotal. Studies show that women are more likely to adjust their work schedules or take unpaid leave to handle family responsibilities. Snow days are just another example of how caregiving defaults to moms, even when they’re working full-time jobs.
Related: 81% of working moms face burnout while ‘managing it all,’ Gallup study finds
Caregiving + work = Unsustainable expectations
The problem isn’t just snow days—it’s the system. Remote work has blurred the lines between home and office, and while flexibility is a win for working parents, it often comes with the expectation that moms can—and should—handle both at the same time. The result? A caregiving crisis masquerading as “business as usual.”
It’s the mental load, too—the invisible checklist moms carry around in their heads. Who’s managing the snacks and sledding gear while still prepping for a 3 p.m. meeting? Probably Mom. Who’s ensuring that deadlines are met while refereeing sibling fights? Definitely Mom. The default status doesn’t just add stress—it reinforces inequities in how work and family responsibilities are divided.
Related: ‘We’re working for daycare’: How American individualism and economic forces are breaking families
The bigger picture
This isn’t just about one snow day or one family. It’s about how society views—and undervalues—caregiving. The pandemic gave us a front-row seat to what happens when the systems we rely on, like schools and childcare, fall apart. Spoiler alert: it’s mostly women who pick up the slack. Snow days are just a microcosm of the broader structural issues working moms face daily.
And let’s be honest: snow days should be magical. They should be about sledding, hot chocolate, and childhood memories—not a reason for moms to panic about how to keep their jobs while their kids are home. But until workplaces fully recognize the weight of caregiving, snow days will remain more stress than sparkle for parents—especially moms.
What needs to change
Let’s stop pretending snow days are just an inconvenience. They’re a caregiving crisis that exposes how little our workplaces—and society at large—have adapted to the realities of modern parenting. Employers need to recognize that snow days aren’t normal workdays for families. Real flexibility means fewer meetings, realistic deadlines, and acknowledging that caregiving is work.
For moms, it’s time to push back on being the default parent for every crisis. Start with open conversations at home and at work. Advocate for shared responsibilities, and don’t be afraid to ask your partner or workplace for support.
And let’s normalize being honest about the load we carry. As Dr. Schenk said: “I’m done with hiding my caregiving responsibilities and pretending it’s business as usual when schools close.” The more we say it out loud, the more we can demand the change working moms deserve.
So, to every mom navigating snowy chaos right now: You’re not alone. Whether you’re juggling meetings and sledding or just trying to survive the day, remember this—snow days don’t have to be perfect. But we do deserve a system that doesn’t leave moms holding it all together.
Sources:
- Women adjust their careers for family life. 2015. Pew Research Center. Women more than men adjust their careers for family life.
