New study shows more mothers becoming primary breadwinners

Moms are out-earning their spouses in a quarter of all American families, becoming the household’s primary breadwinners.

The new study by Pew Research shows an increasing number of households are being supported primarily or totally by working mothers.

On any given day, you can find Kris Millgate with her family or somewhere in eastern Idaho’s outdoor playground.

“We can have it all. It’s not impossible anymore,” said Millgate. “I like hearing that there’s more of us out there getting what we want out of life to the full extent.

Kris is an outdoor journalist and owner of Tight Line Media, but she’s also part of the growing breadwinning mothers population.

“I’m very motivated to work, I probably have a workaholic gene in there somewhere, and I think that plays a big part in being a business owner whether you’re male or female,” said Millgate. “But for women, I find maybe you have to go that little extra step.”

The Pew Research study shows moms are the main provider for 40 percent of American homes — up 11 percent from the 1960’s.

And where mothers are the primary breadwinners, 63 percent are single mothers; 37 percent are married women who out-earn their husbands.

Kris said women can have it all, the key is finding a rhythm and balance that fits you.

“I run my household and I run my company because I’m not going to fail,” said Millgate. “Failure is not an option here.”