Nine in 10 parents admit they’ll “never” be done worrying about their child. WILLIAM FORTUNATO VIA PEXELS.
According to a new survey of 2,000 parents of children ages 0-6, 89% agree that even when their child is grown and out of the house, they’ll never stop worrying about their wellbeing.
Two in five (43%) are concerned about their child every waking moment.
The top worries parents burden themselves with were found to be their child’s emotional well-being (45%), health (43%) and physical safety (38%).
When it comes to parenting style choices, many are concerned about technology use and screen time (43%). This was followed by their finances (41%), being a role model (38%) and work-personal life balance (34%).
But regardless of their own parental anxieties, it only took the average respondent five months to feel confident in their parenting abilities.
Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Safety 1st, research revealed that over the last six months, parents have lost close to two full days of sleep (45 hours) worrying about their child — though 11% admit they’ve lost more than five full days — or over 120 hours.
Almost every parent (84%) had concerns about their baby before even bringing them home from the hospital. Those include how they are going to guide and teach them (48%), their own parenting abilities (47%) and even not having the right items (29%).
But almost two-thirds (63%) of parents felt prepared to address them and spoke to other parents (56%) or to their doctor or health care provider (50%).
“It’s clear that parents’ commitment to the safety and wellbeing of their children is boundless and ever-present,” said Kristen Ahern, Director Brand Marketing at Safety 1st.
Parents are most concerned about their child’s safety in public places such as stores or restaurants (57%), followed by playgrounds and parks (42%), in daycare or at school (42%) and at events like concerts or sporting events (26%).
The survey also asked each respondent to share some tips and tricks they utilize to keep their kids safe. “I write my contact information on the tags in their clothes,” said one parent.
Produced in association with SWNS Research
Edited by Miriam Onyango and Newsdesk Manager
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