How to stop being the default parent once and for all

Call it what you want: emotional labor, default parenting, the second shift. It all amounts to pretty much the same thing: being the go-to parent.

It’s an age-old challenge in many relationships. Who's the parent who schedules the doctor visits, buys the kids’ clothing, makes the lunches and does the mental gymnastics so often done in parenting? If you’re lucky, you have a balance. But many parents aren’t lucky.

If you find yourself in that camp, I hope senior reporter Catherine Pearson’s latest piece for our Self-Care Is Good Parenting package is helpful to you. In it, she looks at how to make a change in your relationship once and for all.

Godspeed, parents.

As always, if you have questions or thoughts -- or even just want to vent -- I’m always here at katea@huffpost.com.

Until next week,

Kate

How To Stop Being The Default Parent Once And For All

7 year olds, amirite?

Endless fodder

For when you're awake at 3am...

The death of Kobe Bryant sent shockwaves around the world. He was a hero (albeit an all-too-human one) to many, especially kids. So reporter Caroline Bologna spoke with a variety of experts about how to talk to your kids about losing their personal hero. I hope it’s helpful.

How To Talk To Your Kid About Losing Their Hero