Invisible Work Is Still Labour
Sometimes I think about the things that are easiest to miss.
Not because they are unimportant.
But because they happen quietly.
As a Deaf parent, I have spent time reflecting on the responsibilities that can exist in the background of everyday life.
The things nobody asks for directly.
The things that slowly become expected.
The things that keep everything moving without drawing attention to themselves.
A child may notice what needs doing.
A child may step in without being asked.
A child may become skilled at helping things run smoothly.
And because it happens so naturally, it can be easy to overlook what is being carried.
Not all labour is visible.
Some of it happens in conversations.
Some of it happens in understanding.
Some of it happens in the constant awareness of what other people need.
The more I reflect on this, the more I believe that something does not have to be seen to have weight.
Invisible work is still labour.
This reflection comes from my perspective as a Deaf parent, shaped by my family, my experiences, and the CODA voices I have listened to over time. It is not about speaking for every CODA, but about recognising a pattern that deserves care.
