The National Benchmark of U.S. Mothers is a recurring, nationally representative measurement of stress, family economics, institutional trust, and the conditions shaping children's wellbeing, weighted to U.S. Census benchmarks.
Pulse Check 2026 and the Wave 1 report are now available.
Count on Mothers (CoM) is an independent, nonpartisan national research and insights firm dedicated to systematically measuring the lived experiences, conditions, and priorities of U.S. mothers across regions. We conduct recurring, nationally representative surveys that generate durable national indicators, paired with qualitative research that adds depth and context, translating everyday realities into structured insight for leaders shaping family policy, services,
and systems.
Our work is grounded in methodological rigor and public transparency, ensuring that mothers' perspectives are reflected accurately, responsibly, and at scale. Count on Mothers designs its instruments, runs its analysis, and decides what it publishes. Members and funders commission briefings and receive advance access to findings; they do not approve or change them.
The National Benchmark of U.S. Mothers is a recurring, nationally representative measurement of family life, fielding twice a year. It tracks five composite indices: maternal capacity and stress, family economic pressure, institutional trust and accountability, youth environment and commercial conditions, and child wellbeing access and support. Together they measure the conditions mothers identify as directly shaping their family's ability to thrive, and what families need, trust, and prioritize as a result.
Wave 1 fielded May 7 to 27, 2026, surveying 2,818 U.S. mothers through a national online opt-in panel combined with The Count, CoM's own community panel, with results weighted to U.S. Census benchmarks on race and ethnicity, household income, education, region, and age. The Benchmark is supported by a Methodology Advisory Board whose members include researchers at University College London.
Read the full methodology.
Count on Mothers research has contributed to federal policy discussions and national public debate. Findings have been requested by U.S. Senators and Representatives and cited in legislative briefings and one-pagers on childcare, paid leave, and technology policy, and covered in national press including Education Week, Newsweek, and Today's Parent. Count on Mothers has informed the work of advocacy organizations, policy coalitions, and industry partners.
Count on Mothers is building the standing infrastructure that foundations, health systems, employer coalitions, technology platforms, and the institutions working to strengthen systems serving families can rely on for credible, independent, decision-relevant analysis.
Learn more about partnering with Count on Mothers.
Our voice is stronger together.
"A mother’s voice speaks not only for herself, but for our future. Count On Mothers understands that. And it's why I was so thrilled to jump in and help grow the voices of mothers where we need them most."
"Count on Mothers helped elevate the lived experiences of thousands of mothers into actionable insights for policymakers. We would recommend working with them to any organization seeking rigorous, high-quality national research that drives real impact."
"Mothers are an incredibly passionate and dedicated group. Individually we make a difference in the lives around us every day. Collectively, if we raise our voices, we can make a difference on a national level. Count on Mothers harnesses this potential."
Anchor Mom Advisors are a nationwide group of mothers across the political spectrum who bring regional context and lived experience into our research. They advise on survey design, help interpret findings, and provide grounded insight into what families are experiencing locally.
Our nationally representative surveys ensure statistical rigor; Anchor Moms ensure our work stays rooted in real, everyday family life. Each is committed to making mothers’ firsthand knowledge visible in decisions affecting children’s safety, health, and well-being.
Learn about becoming an Anchor Mom Advisor.
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A white paper by Count on Mothers and University College London, authored by Katharine Smales, PhD, Kaitlyn Regehr, PhD, Jennifer Brailsford PhD, Melissa Lawrence, MPH, MS, and Photini Vrikki, PhD.
What mothers report seeing as AI chatbots reach children, drawn from Wave 1 of the National Benchmark, with safeguarding recommendations grounded in the developmental and clinical literature.
