MMD BLOG


CATEGORY:

Parenting in Partnership

THE MENTAL LOAD, MODERN PARENTING, AND MAKING HOMES MORE EQUITABLE WITH BRIAN PAGE

 Modern Mommy Doc


PUBLICATION DATE:

November 26, 2024

THE MENTAL LOAD, MODERN PARENTING, AND MAKING HOMES MORE EQUITABLE WITH BRIAN PAGE

 Modern Mommy Doc

CATEGORY: Parenting in Partnership

About the Episode:


In this empowering episode of The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast, Dr. Whitney Casares sits down with Brian Page, founder of Modern Husbands, to unpack the challenges of creating equity at home. They explore how societal norms, mental loads, and parenting dynamics shape modern families. Brian shares his personal journey of stepping back from his career to support his wife’s ambitions and how that decision changed their family dynamic. Together, they discuss practical strategies for dividing household responsibilities, fostering equitable partnerships, and reframing traditional gender roles.


About Our Guest:


Brian Page is the founder of Modern Husbands, an organization dedicated to helping couples create equitable homes and manage their finances as a team. A former educator and advisor to President Obama’s Advisory Council for Financial Capability, Brian transitioned to a more flexible role at home to support his wife’s career ambitions. Along the way, he learned invaluable lessons about emotional labor, societal norms, and the benefits of true partnership. Today, he shares his insights through his podcast, newsletter, and practical toolkit for modern couples.


Key Discussion Points:


  • The Mental Load is More Than Tasks—It’s Emotional Labor: Women disproportionately carry the invisible workload of household management, from remembering the shopping list to coordinating doctor’s visits. Sharing this responsibility isn’t just about fairness—it’s about creating a more harmonious family dynamic.


  • Equity Starts with Communication: Brian emphasizes the importance of scheduling dedicated conversations to discuss household responsibilities when emotions are low and cognition is high. Start with small steps, such as dividing one or two specific tasks, and build from there.


  • Redefining Masculinity in Modern Families: Many men struggle with “dad guilt” or feelings of inadequacy if they’re not the primary financial provider. Addressing these societal pressures and shifting focus to teamwork and shared goals can empower men to take on more at home.


  • Men Thrive on Positive Reinforcement: A little appreciation can go a long way. Celebrating small wins, like cleaning the kitchen or tackling the grocery shopping, fosters goodwill and strengthens the partnership.


  • Fair Play Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All: Tools like Eve Rodsky’s Fair Play are great starting points, but customization is key. Brian suggests beginning with a few manageable changes and focusing on shared outcomes, like more free time and less stress for both partners.


  • It’s Not About Scorekeeping—It’s About Leisure Time: Equity isn’t about splitting everything 50/50. It’s about ensuring both partners have equal leisure time and opportunities to recharge without carrying the mental burden of household tasks.


  • The Ripple Effect of Equity: When parents model equitable behavior, they influence future generations. Children raised in equitable homes are more likely to create balanced partnerships in their own lives.


Resources:


Fair Play by Eve Rodsky

Equal Partners by Kate Mangino

AAMFT Therapist Locator


Don’t forget to subscribe to the Modern Mommy Doc podcast for more conversations on how to thrive as a modern mom! Subscribe, share, and leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.

Raising Body-Confident Kids Starts at the Doctor's Office!

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By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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By Dr. Whitney December 17, 2025
About the Episode: In this episode, Dr. Whitney sits down with Dr. Jay Gargus and Dave Justus from NeuroQure to discuss the power of early clarity when it comes to autism detection and why earlier intervention can fundamentally change outcomes for childre n and families. Dr. Gargus explains the science behind early behavioral therapies and why their impact goes far beyond short-term skill-building. Research shows that early, evidence-based interventions can lead to measurable, lifelong improvements in IQ, so cial skills, independence, and educational placement, often determining whether a child can thrive in mainstream education or requires ongoing specialized support. The conversation also tackles a critical and often overlooked issue: access. Dave Justus shares the personal motivation behind NeuroQure’s work and explains why the test is being launched at cost, with installment plans and employer subsidies, while the team works toward insurance coverage. The goal is to prevent families from losing precious years waiting for answers. Together, they emphasize a hopeful message for parents: families don’t need to wait for a future “silver bullet.” We already have therapies that work and getting kids connected to them earlier can change the course of a lifetime. In this episode, we discuss: Why early autism detection leads to lifelong changes—not just short-term gains What a 17-point IQ difference actually means for education, independence, and quality of life How early intervention can shift developmental trajectories as early as 6 months The science and validation behind current autism therapies Why NeuroQure is pricing testing at cost while pursuing insurance coverage How early clarity can reduce long-term strain on families, schools, and healthcare systems This episode is a powerful reminder that timing matters and that early access to answers can make an extraordinary difference for children and the families who love them. About Our Guest: Dr. Jay Gargus, MD, PhD is a physician-scientist and nationally recognized expert in neurodevelopmental disorders, with decades of experience researching the biological underpinnings of autism. His work has focused on translating well-established science into meaningful, real-world interventions that can improve lifelong outcomes for children. Dr. Gargus emphasizes that early, evidence-based therapies are already available—and that connecting families to them sooner can fundamentally change developmental trajectories. Dave Justus is a parent and the founder of NeuroQure, whose work is driven by personal experience navigating delayed autism diagnosis and intervention. Motivated by the belief that early clarity can spare families years of uncertainty, Dave is focused on expanding access to early testing through cost-based pricing and ongoing efforts to secure insurance coverage. His mission is simple but powerful: ensure families don’t have to wait for answers that could change everything. Want to Start Raising Body-Confident Kids Today? 📘 Order the Book Order your copy of My One-of-a-Kind Body 👉 www.raisingbodyconfidentkids.com/books 🎁 Claim Your Free Bonus When you order on our site, you’ll also get access to a FREE video mini-course with five bite-sized lessons for parents. In just 25 minutes, you’ll walk away with: Simple, script-style ways to respond when your kid says, “I hate my thighs” How to talk about health without weight talk What to do when your own inner critic shows up How to interrupt diet culture at home The first step to raising a body-confident kid, even if you didn’t grow up as one 📩 Subscribe to The Modern Mommy Doc Podcast for more episodes on parenting with confidence and clarity. Leave a review using the hashtag #ModernMommyDoc.
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