How Contemporary Couples Divide the Work at Home with Jill Yavorsky, Gender Dynamics Expert

When couples decide to have a baby, maybe they have a good idea of how much time it will take to feed and rock and change diapers … but how much extra work does a child create in a household, and how do successful couples divide it? 

Research has proven that a new child “disrupts” the natural division of labor in your household and can even lead to anger and resentment in your partner. 

In today’s episode, I’m joined by Dr. Jill Yavorsky, an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Organizational Science at UNCC to discuss the data around what a new child means for your household division of labor and give you some tips to mitigate your workload before resentment builds. 

Show highlights include:

  • How your first child “breaks” the natural division of labor in your household and what to do about it (8:59) 
  • The truth about why men overestimate how much childcare and housework they do by 3x or more (14:44) 
  • How your thoughts are tricking you into feeling like you’re doing more than you are (15:55) 
  • Why men tend to enjoy more leisure time than women — especially after children (16:53) 
  • Why date nights are the absolute worst time to bring up childcare and  household duties (19:48) 
  • How something as simple as splitting childcare and household work drastically decreases your chances of divorce (22:07) 
  • The simple, 2-step formula to create a better, happier marriage after your first child (29:50) 

Post on Instagram with #letsbebrilliant and tag @cskolnicki

Learn more about Dr. Jill Yavorsky:

https://pages.uncc.edu/jyavorsk/

Connect on twitter @JillYavorsky1

Join the Brilliant Balance Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/281949848958057/

Learn more about Cherylanne’s work: 

https://cherylanneskolnicki.com

Find out more about Brilliant Balance Breakthrough:

https://cherylanneskolnicki.com/brilliant-balance/

Om Podcasten

You deserve a big, full life and the freedom to enjoy it. The Brilliant Balance Podcast helps women in leadership design their next chapter for sustainable success—without burnout. Every week, host Cherylanne Skolnicki, a leading expert in work-life balance, leadership growth, and mindset coaching, shares ideas, inspiration, and insights to help high-achieving women align their ambition with personal fulfillment. Through conversations on leadership mindset, time management, and personal growth, you'll gain the tools to thrive in both your career and personal life. Whether you're considering a career pivot or craving more time for your personal life, you might find yourself asking: How do I advance my career—without working 24/7? Can I achieve my goals while still having time for my family? How do I stop feeling overwhelmed and start feeling in control? What’s next for me—and how do I design it intentionally? If you’ve ever wondered how to fulfill your potential without breaking your life, this podcast is for you. In addition to sharing her own insights, Cherylanne sits down with experts, thought leaders, and ambitious women who reveal their strategies for burnout recovery, productivity for women, and redefining success on their terms. You’ll love the Brilliant Balance Podcast if you like podcasts like: Unlocking Us or Dare to Lead with Brene Brown, Women at Work by Harvard Business Review, The Midlife with Reshma Saujani, We Can Do Hard Things with Glennon Doyle, The Mel Robbins Podcast, HerMoney with Jean Chatzky, So Money with Farnoosh Torabi