Recognizing the Invisible Work of Adult Daughters on National Daughters Day
Communications expert highlights the unseen labor of “daughtering” and encourages families to honor and support their daughters on Sept. 25
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National Daughters Day has been observed on Sept. 25 since 1932, but despite nearly a century of existence, it often passes by unnoticed. Much like the National Daughters Day itself, the important role of adult daughters in family life is frequently overlooked.
Allison M. Alford, Ph.D., clinical associate professor of business communication at Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business and author of the upcoming book, Good Daughtering (Dey Street Books, February 2026), studies how adult daughters shoulder what she calls the “invisible labor” of maintaining family unity. Her research highlights the active role of “daughtering” – the intentional ways daughters relate to and care for their parents.
“Daughtering is purposeful work that helps relationships flourish, yet it often goes unrecognized – even by daughters themselves – because society hasn’t developed a language for this labor,” Alford said.
“Daughtering is purposeful work that helps relationships flourish, yet it often goes unrecognized – Allison M. Alford, Ph.D.
The invisible labor of daughtering
Whether organizing family gatherings, smoothing over conflicts or planning for the future, daughters invest significant energy into nurturing family ties, Alford said. This unseen labor often involves balancing cultural expectations with personal responsibilities, creating a steady flow of care and connection for their parents.
With elements of “mental load” and “adulting” woven into the mix, adult daughters engage in intense, ongoing relationship-building. While this effort is demanding, it also brings benefits in the form of love, support and strengthened family bonds, she said.
Shifting the narrative
In recent years, National Daughters Day has gained visibility through heartfelt posts and tributes on social media, a trend Alford encourages.
“Too often, the narrative around daughters focuses on how we support others, but rarely on how we are supported in return,” she said. “‘Daughtering’ isn’t just a role – it’s a relationship, and like any relationship, it deserves reciprocity, recognition and rest.”
Alford urges parents to take Sept. 25 as an opportunity to acknowledge their daughters’ contributions and care.
Simple ways to celebrate
Parents can show appreciation for their adult daughters in meaningful, personal ways:
- Call your daughter and tell her how much her care and effort have meant.
- Share a social media tribute with photos that celebrate your relationship.
- Send dinner to her home with a thoughtful note of thanks.
- Tell your grandchildren a cherished story about their mom.
National Daughters Day offers the chance not only to honor daughters but also to recognize the quiet, often unseen work that sustains families across generations, Alford said.
ABOUT ALLISON M. ALFORD
Allison M. Alford, Ph.D., is a clinical associate professor in the Department of Information Systems and Business Analytics and focuses her research on research and publications are focused on the topics of women, adult daughtering, work-family balance and invisible labor. She highlights her work on Substack, Instagram and her website daughtering101.com. Alford’s teaching specialties are value propositions, conflict resolution techniques, teamwork, meeting facilitation and people-skills for leaders. She is active in the Association for Business Communication and National Communication Association. Her upcoming book, "Good Daughtering: The Work You’ve Always Done, the Credit You’ve Never Gotten, and How to Finally Feel Like Enough," will go on sale from Dey Street Books on February 16, 2026.
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Learn more about Baylor University at www.baylor.edu.
ABOUT THE HANKAMER SCHOOL OF BUSINESS
Baylor University’s Hankamer School of Business strives to further God’s kingdom through the realm of business, using God-given gifts and academic talents to do so. Faculty and students conduct purposeful research and participate in experiential learning opportunities, all while operating in a Christ-centered mission. Undergraduate students can choose from 13 major areas of study. Graduate students can earn their MBA on their terms, either through the full-time, online or a Dallas-based executive program. The Business School also offers three Ph.D. programs in Information Systems, Entrepreneurship or Health Services Research. The School’s top-ranked programs make up approximately 25% of the University’s total enrollment. Visit the Hankamer School of Business website for more information.