Mother’s Day 2025: Why mothers feel emotionally invisible

A survey of 30,000 mothers across India has revealed that they feel the need to be recognised, emotionally supported, and given space to care for themselves amidst the chaos of daily responsibilities.

 

A survey conducted by Habuild, a platform dedicated to building healthy habits, aimed to understand the current emotional wellness landscape for mothers and the gaps in support from family, workplaces, and society at large.

 

While more than half the respondents (57 per cent)  said they always feel emotionally supported by their family, a significant number (33 per cent) did not feel that way. When going through emotionally or physically difficult times 57 per cent of mothers felt they couldn't always openly share with their family members, pointing to a communication gap in moments that matter most.

 

When asked to describe their current emotional state as mothers, only 34 per cent said they feel ‘valued and seen’. About 37 per cent felt ‘content and balanced’, but nearly 28 per cent said they felt ‘loved but overwhelmed’ or ‘unseen and tired’. These findings suggest that despite familial bonds, many mothers still feel emotionally invisible in their day-to-day roles.

 

Mental exhaustion (41 per cent) and a constant to-do list (32 per cent) were cited as the most frequent daily challenges, with only 36 per cent saying they get more than an hour of personal time per day. The most significant barrier preventing mothers from prioritising their own wellness was family responsibilities (57 per cent), followed by lack of time and guilt (27 per cent).

 

Yet, mothers are hopeful of small changes. An overwhelming 67 per cent of moms said they would actively use wellness-friendly policies such as small breaks, flexible hours, or period leave if offered. When asked what would make them feel truly supported, a little less than half (46 per cent) pointed to shared responsibilities at home, while others said they wanted more expressed love and care (26 per cent) or guilt-free time for themselves (13 per cent).

 

Habuild Co-founder, Saurabh Bothra, said that while selflessness is inherent in motherhood, it should not mean that mothers do not need care and support even if they do not complain.

Health