How does your day compare to the average mum's?

Many mums in the survey said they're out of bed before the rest of their family. Photo / Getty

A survey of over 1,500 mothers has revealed a list of 59 daily tasks carried out by an average mum - most of whom reported feeling "overwhelmed" by their never-ending duties.

The list of activities ticked off daily by the group of UK mothers included revising for spelling tests, filling in the reading record, signing school permission slips, washing P.E. uniforms and ferrying children to their various activities.

Added to this is making dinner, school lunches, nagging kids to brush teeth and, for some, working as well.

So, where are the men in all of this?

Nine out of 10 of the 1,583 mums polled said they tend to take the lead with all child-related household tasks.

Two thirds of mums feel their partner relies on them too heavily to get everything done - and to remember things for every other member of the family.

According to the survey, mums are out of bed by 6.38am, having gone to sleep around 10.30pm the night before.

More than half of mums admitted to forgetting things like taking something out of the freezer for dinner, or a doctor or dentist appointment.

Many said they're out of bed before the rest of the family to get ahead on the daily tasks. They'll empty the dishwasher, pack the children's school lunches and fill water bottles.

And before making the school run, they'll make and serve breakfast, pack the school and work bags, apply necessary creams and medicines, remind the children to wash, get into their school clothes, brush their hair and go to the bathroom - among a multitude of other essential tasks.

While they may sound mundane, mums deemed them absolutely necessary to the running of their household.

At the other end of the day, mums are doing the school pick up, preparing and serving dinner for the family, helping with homework and getting their kids to and from after school activities.

The study, conducted by the UK's Red Tractor Beef and Lamb food suppliers, found 70 per cent of mums will resort to a ready to eat meal at least once a week.

Mums also noted a range of administrative tasks on their daily lists, such as writing in the children's homework books, filling out school paperwork and permission slips, and keeping on top of the calendar for the week's events.

HOW DOES YOUR DAY COMPARE?

A MUM'S 59 TASKS ON AN AVERAGE SCHOOL DAY:

1. Decide what to make for dinner

2. Cook and serve the evening meal

3. Tidy up the dishes

4. Wake the children

5. Open all the curtains

6. Wash up or pack the dishwasher

7. Tidy the house from top to bottom

8. Make and serve the breakfast

9. Make sure everyone is ready to leave the house on time

10. Do the children's homework with them

11. Get the children ready for bed

12. Get yourself showered, washed and dressed

13. Check the children have all their belongings

14. Get the children their morning milk /drink

15. Go to work

16. Do the morning school run

17. Do the afternoon school run

18. Make your own bed

19. Nag the children to do their teeth

20. Put a load of washing on

21. Lay out the school uniform / help children into the school uniform

22. Pack the children's lunches for school

23. Tidy around

24. Play with the children

25. Fill up the water bottles

26. Nag the children to eat their dinner

27. Listen to the children read

28. Encourage the children to wash at the end of the day

29. Check the calendar for events the following day

30. Pack the children's bags / P.E. kit for school

31. Do the children's hair

32. Ferry the children to clubs and sports

33. Lay out all the bags and clothes for the following day

34. Read the bedtime story

35. Putting away the dishes

36. Make the children's beds

37. Remember after school clubs

38. Pack your own work bag

39. Feed or walk the animals

40. Complete school paperwork / permission slips and remember to send in with the children

41. Pack the appropriate kits for afterschool clubs and sports

42. Put out the rubbish / recycling

43. Keep on top of the calendar for birthdays, school events, social events

44. Fill in the children's reading records / homework books

45. Pack your own / your partner's lunch for the day

46. Ensure the children go to the toilet before leaving the house

47. Unpack the dishwasher / put the dishes away

48. Remember school dinner money

49. Hang out the washing

50. Give the children their medicines for the day

51. Usher the children into the bath or shower before school

52. Help your children learn their spellings for the day

53. Put sun cream on before school / rain coats

54. Check you haven't forgotten a mufti day / cakes for the school fair

55. Vacuum

56. Iron

57. Help the children practise their music / sport / words for the school play

58. Read with the children

59. Volunteer at the various clubs, school, and sports

- nzherald.co.nz