Do you call your mom enough? Data shows you probably don’t

A third of Americans say their mom doesn’t get enough self-care, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 adults found that of those who are in contact with their mom, 33% worry that they don’t spend enough time on themselves.

Seven in 10 respondents worry that moms have too much on their plates these days, resulting in self-care falling to the wayside.

The survey conducted by Talker Research for Woodhouse Spas found that knowing how much the moms in their life do, 67% surveyed agree that their mom spends too much time worrying about everyone else.

Whether a mom, aunt, grandmother or other matronly figure, the average person admits that they show the moms in their life that they appreciate them less than twice a month, through spending time with them (31%), loving words (21%) or other love languages.

Still, nearly a quarter admit that they don’t call their mom enough (22%).

On average, those surveyed speak to their mom once a week and a majority of these respondents admit they can’t go the week without talking to them (78%).

Those who are in contact with their mom said they feel close to her when making her laugh (28%), having heartfelt conversations (25%) or relaxing and unwinding with her (11%).

Two in three Americans who speak to their mom claim to know her better than anyone else in her life (68%), sharing some favorite memories like “walking in the park in the summertime,” going to “cultural festivals” or spending “family game night at her house.”

Those surveyed recognize the importance of slowing down, though: Nine in 10 believe that self-care should be a high priority for moms (88%).

“The study shows that the moms in our lives are needing some self-care,” said Ben Jones, chief executive officer of Radiance Holdings, the parent company of Woodhouse Spas. “I think of my own wife who amazes me with the way she handles her work, family and everything in between. We can help, since the spa experience is the perfect respite for busy moms — from calming massages to refreshing facials to manicures and pedicures. We’re all about giving moms a chance to relax, recharge and feel like themselves again.”

Forty-four percent have the self-care talk at least once a week, trying to convince the moms in their lives to put themselves first.

Interestingly, the percentage of respondents who said that the moms they know embrace the need for self-care, was the same as that of those who know moms who are more modest about that need.

Self-care is becoming more of a priority with younger generations. Gen Z (57%) and millennials (45%) know moms who recognize the need for self-care, while Gen X (41%) and baby boomers (46%) know more moms that are modest about it.

If they could build their own “self-care day” for the moms they know, respondents would ensure moms are feeling pampered by treating them to getting their hair done (28%) or a relaxing massage (23%).

Respondents also want moms to feel seen with acts of service like having someone cook for them (32%) or allowing them alone time to go for a walk (23%) or spending time on their hobby (21%).

How does this compare to what moms themselves would want? Of the moms surveyed, results found that sleeping in is their number one desire (37%).

Others would enjoy pampering services like getting their hair done (36%), getting a massage (31%) and getting their nails done (29%). In fact, a third of moms would rather have a solo spa day than spending it with anyone else (34%).

Acts of solitude are also high on moms’ list, like listening to music (32%), going for a walk (27%) or reading (26%).

Of those surveyed who are moms, 39% get less than an hour of time to herself every day.

The average mom polled has felt burnt out five times within the past three months alone — and 36% have felt this way more often.

Nearly a third of moms admit that they feel like their loved ones don’t appreciate them enough (30%) and would prefer more quality time (29%) and appreciative words (28%).

“This study shines a light on the overlooked need for moms to prioritize themselves, setting the stage for a larger conversation about why self-care isn’t just a luxury — it’s a necessity,” said Jones.

FAVORITE MEMORIES OF MOM

• “Getting us girls ready for our dance recitals every year when we were young.”
• “Going trick or treating every year on Halloween with her.”
• “Seeing her recover from cancer.”
• “Walking in the park in the summertime.”
• “When we spent the day baking cookies together and laughing at how messy we made the kitchen.”
• “Family game night at her house is always amazing.”
• “Her sitting outside of the house on a step and my dog spontaneously licking her when she least expected it.”
• “First time I drew/sketched my first drawing and she showed my work off to everyone including strangers.”
• “I scared her by saying ‘boo’ sarcastically in the dark.”
• “She would take us to a lot of cultural festivals when we were little and I remember one time going to a Chinese cultural festival and she got me a really beautiful bracelet that I still have.”

WHAT WOULD THE PERFECT SELF-CARE DAY FOR MOM LOOK LIKE?

1. Sleeping in — 37%
2. Getting my hair done — 36%
3. Having someone else cook for me — 35%
4. Listening to music — 32%
5. Getting a massage — 31%
6. Getting my nails done — 29%
7. Going for a walk — 27%
8. Reading — 26%
9. Catching up on my favorite shows/movies — 26%
10. Taking a long bath — 25%

Survey methodology:

Talker Research surveyed 2,000 general population Americans; the survey was commissioned by Woodhouse Spas and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between March 6 and March 10, 2025.

We are sourcing from a non-probability frame and the two main sources we use are:

• Traditional online access panels — where respondents opt-in to take part in online market research for an incentive
• Programmatic — where respondents are online and are given the option to take part in a survey to receive a virtual incentive usually related to the online activity they are engaging in

Those who did not fit the specified sample were terminated from the survey. As the survey is fielded, dynamic online sampling is used, adjusting targeting to achieve the quotas specified as part of the sampling plan.

Regardless of which sources a respondent came from, they were directed to an Online Survey, where the survey was conducted in English; a link to the questionnaire can be shared upon request. Respondents were awarded points for completing the survey. These points have a small cash-equivalent monetary value.

Cells are only reported on for analysis if they have a minimum of 80 respondents, and statistical significance is calculated at the 95% level. Data is not weighted, but quotas and other parameters are put in place to reach the desired sample.

Interviews are excluded from the final analysis if they failed quality-checking measures. This includes:

• Speeders: Respondents who complete the survey in a time that is quicker than one-third of the median length of interview are disqualified as speeders
• Open ends: All verbatim responses (full open-ended questions as well as other please specify options) are checked for inappropriate or irrelevant text
• Bots: Captcha is enabled on surveys, which allows the research team to identify and disqualify bots
• Duplicates: Survey software has “deduping” based on digital fingerprinting, which ensures nobody is allowed to take the survey more than once

It is worth noting that this survey was only available to individuals with internet access, and the results may not be generalizable to those without internet access.