I grew up in a middle-class joint family till I was at the age of 10 years. After the age of 15, since my dad was in a transferrable job we moved every three years until it was time for me to go to college.

Since I was a child, I could see my mother and other aunties ( as it was a joint family) working tirelessly to take care of all the family members. Somehow, it was their duty to direct the kitchen helpers in cooking all the meal, they were always expected to remember every tiny detail. Be it, my grandmother or uncles.

My dad worked at the central government office, so his office timings were never fixed, days would go by before I could meet dad. I would go to school at 6.30 am and he would be sleeping. By the time he would return from his office it would be 8 30 or 9 pm. He hardly anytime during his job.

Now I am 30 years old, we are no longer a joint family. I mean we do live in the same city but everyone is settled down separately. My dad has retired from his post for 8 years now. What troubles me is that even to date my mother seems to have taken almost all of the responsibility at our home. And similarly, all my aunties have done the same. 

I wonder why is this? It's not that my dad doesn't help my mom at all. He takes care of gardening, he washes his own clothes and also dishes sometimes, when kitchen help is sick or unavailable. But the never-ending question and trouble of a middle-class family, 'what's for lunch or what's for dinner? always falls on my mother. And this is not a simple question, to decide what 8 people in a family would like to eat is a difficult choice to make. You always have to think of dishes made previously so as not to repeat them continuously. You also have to make a healthy choice because who would mind eating fried and spicy dishes regularly but green vegetables are a must.

I don't stay with my parents, I have a job in a different city. whenever I am home, I make sure to help my mom in not only doing things but also in the decision-making process. 

I wonder, why does a mom have to be super. why can't she relax and not worry about tiny detail of all family members? why is it her responsibility to take care of the health of all family members?

My mom is a super mom, in more ways than one. I want her to enjoy everything with no stress at all.