Parents only get 10% of the week to themselves, study finds

Parents get so little time to themselves

It's a new chapter that can feel overwhelming at times, but one that is worth all of the changes.

A new study recently found that parents are only getting 10% of their week to themselves, but they believe it is "absolutely worth it."

A poll of 2,000 U.S. parents of children under the age of five found that the average parent dedicates 18 hours of the week to themselves, with 47% of their week devoted to professional or personal tasks and 42% to keeping their child entertained, engaged, and educated.

Many parents agreed that giving up most of their time for their children was worth it, but they often wished they had more support.

62% admitted they frequently wish they could have some kind of help keeping their children enriched and educated.

For many parents, that comes in the form of having an interest-based curriculum for their children.

Parents reported that their children seem happier (56%), more engaged in their daily activities (50%), and seem more independent (47%) as a result of the interest-based curriculum.

Close to four in five (79%) have even learned something new from their child because of their interest-based learning.

“Every child’s curiosity is a window into how they learn best,” said Dr. Amy Jackson, chief early learning strategy officer at Primrose Schools. “When we nurture those unique interests — whether it’s music, bugs or learning how plants grow — we’re not only supporting their development, but we’re also showing them that their passions matter, building positive character and social-emotional skills.”

46% also believe their child would feel less stressed if they were able to explore their interests in an early childhood educational setting.

And, of course, it can buy back time for parents. Parents believe having their child enrolled in a school program that incorporates their interests can save them 51 hours, on average, per week.

“When enrichment is built into a child’s school day, it’s both a benefit for the child and their parents,” Dr. Jackson added. “Children gain confidence and independence by exploring new experiences in a structured, supportive environment, and parents gain back valuable time knowing their child’s growth and happiness are being nurtured throughout the day.”

The study was commissioned by Primrose Schools and conducted by Talker Research.