MUMS are feeling overwhelmed by housework and chores in lockdown, a study has found. 

With most children now being homeschooled, parents are feeling the pressure to balance the demands of work and home life, with the brunt of chores falling on women, findings revealed. 

A study of 2,000 adults found while 66 per cent of women try and set a good example for their kids, showing chores and tasks are shared out equally, they often find themselves picking up the slack. 

Nearly 67 per cent admitted they felt ‘overwhelmed’ by the sheer volume of work which fell to them. 

And more than half of parents worry children will get a distorted view of gender roles by seeing mums constantly doing the chores, the study claimed.

Psychologist Emma Kenny, speaking on behalf of home appliance brand Indesit, which commissioned the research, said: “We have a great deal of work to do in ensuring equality in the household.

Top 10 chores kids help out with

1. Vacuuming
2. Feeding pets
3. Washing dishes
4. Dusting
5. Sweeping
6. Cooking
7. Watering plants
8. Taking out the rubbish
9. Laundry
10. Washing the car

“The gender bias we were working so hard to eradicate seems to have reared its ugly head once again so we must push back harder than ever to ensure that parents provide good neutrality where chores, ambition and general expectations are concerned.

“Children, potentially for the first time in their lives, have witnessed their parents trying to balance home life, work life and life admin.

“With both parents working this way, it is essential that children see their parents as equal, otherwise the subliminal messaging is that one parent, often a woman, is valued less than the other parent, something we absolutely wish to avoid.”

While the findings showed women did the brunt of the housework, men did help out with a few chores, with 65 per cent washing up and taking out the bins, while 62 per cent vacuumed. 

But 41 per cent of women claimed other adults in their home left dirty clothes on the floor, while 51 per cent said their kids did the same. 

Some 42 per cent of mums added they sometimes leave dirty dishes on the side – which their kids are now copying. 

Unsurprisingly, arguments have skyrocketed in lockdown, with 46 per cent of parents saying their kids have overheard disagreements about chores. 

Some 64 per cent of parents said they wished their family would help out more around the house, with 67 per cent reckoning this teaches them basic life skills, while 58 per cent said it builds a strong work ethic. 

Children, potentially for the first time in their lives, have witnessed their parents trying to balance home life, work life and life admin

In a bid to incentivise kids to pitch in more, the average family pays children £6.07 per week to do chores, with 23 per cent allowing more screen time as a reward. 

The research, carried out by Indesit via OnePoll, comes as the brand launches its #DoItTogether campaign, urging parents to set the right example to their children for a happier, healthier and equal home.

Emma Kenny added: “Whatever parents can do to lighten their own load and create a positive sentiment towards chores, so by planning and executing together, they can create real learning moments for their children and bonding experiences full of very important life lessons for children.”

In other news a cleaning fan reveals the hidden dirt lurking in radiators – and it’ll make you want to scrub yours immediately.

And a mum-of-16 shares how she feeds her kids ‘lunch’ WITHOUT plates & parents are copying her to save on the washing up.

Meanwhile this mum bags £867 worth of groceries for just £26 thanks to coupons – & it takes her NINE hours to pack her shopping.

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