Equitable Parenting in Multicultural Families

One of big source of stress for parents is the amount of mental labor that comes with parenting. Yes, feeding, diapering, and caring for a baby is a lot of physical work. But each of these tasks comes with an even bigger list of accompanying details that need to be figured out. This is true of almost every decision and task you will have as a parent.

For multicultural families the invisible labor includes additional layers. For each of the tasks that all families will have to think through (like how to dress a baby), multicultural families often also have to navigate differences in approach. Multicultural families additionally need to work to understand each other’s values and priorities, to bridge their differences, and to make decisions about cultural practices to pass down.

Parenting equitably requires sharing not just the visible, but also the invisible labor of raising your child. It is important work with the potential to strengthen your bonds to each other in lasting ways. For multicultural parents this is essential so that each of you feels represented and valued in your parenting approach.

Take the example of dressing your baby. All families will need to decide how to dress their baby and learn how to get those tiny clothes on a tiny body. Multicultural families may also need to consider different beliefs about:

• How warm/cool a baby should be.

• Whether and what kind of jewelry a baby should wear.

• Whether or not to cover their hands, feet, and head.

• What accessories may be needed to keep a baby spiritually safe.

• And more…

Carrying the mental load takes a lot of energy, so it is tiring and sometimes exhausting. Sharing this responsibility is a key element of parenting equitably.

If you’re feeling ready to learn more and start distributing the mental load in your partnership, check out our FREE guide on Equitable Parenting for multicultural families.

Ready to understand the mental load of multicultural parenting? Get started as you work to distribute it equitably in your partnership.