Women Are Not Superheroes: Invisible Labor and the Moms Doing It All

This episode is sponsored by ParentAgent.

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I was people watching at a hotel breakfast when a whole family came down.

Everybody had a little pink on their cheeks. Everybody was clearly covered in sunscreen. Except the mom, whose back was so red it looked painful to the touch.

Somebody made sure that everybody else at that table had the right amount of sunscreen. And literally no one there had her back.

It's called invisible labor for a reason. Nobody sees you doing it. But that doesn't mean it isn't happening.

So, women are not superheroes. If you are calling a woman a superhero, it is because you are not also taking the time to ask her what she needs. Stop being impressed. Take something off her plate.

Also: I made my favorite drink at home, saved $57, and now I need a $150 ice machine.

Then on Ask L2, a listener asks whether infinite love, finite space applies to people who pay her. You're allowed to have boundaries with everyone. Including your boss.

00:00:53 Two trips, one weekend

00:01:40 The best Coke I've ever had in my life

00:02:11 A big family or a donkey

00:02:53 Everybody had sunscreen

00:04:18 Everybody except her

00:04:58 Nobody had her back

00:05:12 It's called invisible labor for a reason

00:05:29 That's not a vacation. That's a trip.

00:05:50 Stop being impressed. Take something off her plate.

00:06:47 She has a partner

00:07:31 Women are not superheroes

00:07:59 If you see a woman doing it all

00:08:15 I found a drink I really like

00:08:58 Why does a $16 salad taste better?

00:09:51 Proper hydration for the first time ever

00:10:30 Sonic Ice

00:11:35 Do I spend $150 to save money?

00:12:30 The cheap ones get moldy. Delicious.

00:13:09 Internet, do I need an ice machine?

00:13:25 Ask L2: infinite love, finite space, at work?

00:14:02 Boundaries at work are important

00:15:28 You can love them and hold a boundary

00:15:54 What you're allowed to say

00:16:30 I felt bad that I didn't feel bad

00:17:09 Your job shouldn't be about love

00:17:26 How could you have hives if you've never had bees?

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