Michael Dinich, Wealth of Geeks
When it comes to raising a child, it’s all hands on deck — the average working parent relies on six different people to support their child’s growth and development.
That’s according to a survey of 2,000 working parents of children under the age of 10. Family members such as their child’s grandparents and extended family — aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings are included in their “village,” as well as their best friends and neighbors.
This network even extends beyond parents’ inner circle, as they’re also looking to their child’s teachers and the faculty at their child’s school or daycare for support. On average, children spend four days a week with their support system, though 16% of working parents say they depend on them every single day of the week.
The research, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Lightbridge Academy, finds 29% of working parents still feel they need a second version of themselves to get by and 36% could use an even larger village.
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Reasons for a village
People rely on so many people in their lives because the average working parent stresses about childcare at least six days each month. Almost one-third worry most about the quality of the care or education their child is receiving. Interestingly, dads stress more than moms about communicating with their child’s caregivers on their progress (29% vs 17%).
However, a similar number (25%) of all working parents fret most about their lack of childcare options.
More than one-third of all working parents surveyed say they were impacted by the end of federal funding to childcare industries, originally put in place by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The so-called “ childcare cliff,” in September marked the end of the extra resources that kept thousands of childcare programs afloat nationwide during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Those parents have been faced with increased costs, daycare layoffs, low staffing, and closures as a result. Others adjusted their working hours to accommodate the availability. Some were forced to leave their job entirely to keep up with their childcare needs, which added a lot of stress on working families.
Overall, 53% admit that their stress levels keep them from being the parents they want to be.
“It’s no secret that thousands of families are teetering on the edge of the childcare cliff,” says Gigi Schweikert, CEO at Lightbridge Academy. “Working families are already walking a fine line and barriers like this can have a huge influence on their work and personal lives. While the answer is beyond an individual employer, childcare center, or family, it’s up to all of us to speak up, advocate for our needs, and communicate challenges so that each working family is empowered to choose the solution that works best for them.”
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Impact on parents
Over the last year, working parents say they have missed three different social or professional events due to a lack of childcare.
The sacrifices of juggling work and home don’t stop there; working parents have also missed some of their children’s events, such as sporting events, recitals, or family dinners and meals. Working parents have also been forced to pass up on career opportunities or even
change career goals entirely.
Some parents start stacking their deck early. 12% plan for childcare before their child is even conceived. Another 27% start making plans while they were pregnant. However, the research reveals, just as in any life, things don’t always go as planned. Working parents admit that a mere 57% of their child-rearing has gone how they expected.
Over the last five years, they’ve also had to get creative with childcare. Some drive out of their way to either pick their child up or drop them off. Others call out of work, bring their child with them to their job, or choose a less-than-ideal daycare.
Almost three-quarters believe that their employer has an obligation to help working parents balance their work and personal lives.
“It’s encouraging to see that 75% of working parents are satisfied with their childcare set up, but still, that leaves a quarter who aren’t. Being a working parent is difficult enough and every family should know that their child is being cared for and nurtured even when they’re
not around,” explains Schweikert.
“Working parents cited that getting updates on their child when they’re not around (30%) and enrolling their child in a reliable daycare (26%) would decrease their overall stress levels the most. It’s imperative to find a solution that works for all working families.
That’s according to a survey of 2,000 working parents of children under the age of 10. Family members such as their child’s grandparents and extended family — aunts, uncles, cousins, and siblings are included in their “village,” as well as their best friends and neighbors.
This network even extends beyond parents’ inner circle, as they’re also looking to their child’s teachers and the faculty at their child’s school or daycare for support. On average, children spend four days a week with their support system, though 16% of working parents say they depend on them every single day of the week.
The research, conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Lightbridge Academy, finds 29% of working parents still feel they need a second version of themselves to get by and 36% could use an even larger village.
—————
Reasons for a village
People rely on so many people in their lives because the average working parent stresses about childcare at least six days each month. Almost one-third worry most about the quality of the care or education their child is receiving. Interestingly, dads stress more than moms about communicating with their child’s caregivers on their progress (29% vs 17%).
However, a similar number (25%) of all working parents fret most about their lack of childcare options.
More than one-third of all working parents surveyed say they were impacted by the end of federal funding to childcare industries, originally put in place by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The so-called “ childcare cliff,” in September marked the end of the extra resources that kept thousands of childcare programs afloat nationwide during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Those parents have been faced with increased costs, daycare layoffs, low staffing, and closures as a result. Others adjusted their working hours to accommodate the availability. Some were forced to leave their job entirely to keep up with their childcare needs, which added a lot of stress on working families.
Overall, 53% admit that their stress levels keep them from being the parents they want to be.
“It’s no secret that thousands of families are teetering on the edge of the childcare cliff,” says Gigi Schweikert, CEO at Lightbridge Academy. “Working families are already walking a fine line and barriers like this can have a huge influence on their work and personal lives. While the answer is beyond an individual employer, childcare center, or family, it’s up to all of us to speak up, advocate for our needs, and communicate challenges so that each working family is empowered to choose the solution that works best for them.”
—————
Impact on parents
Over the last year, working parents say they have missed three different social or professional events due to a lack of childcare.
The sacrifices of juggling work and home don’t stop there; working parents have also missed some of their children’s events, such as sporting events, recitals, or family dinners and meals. Working parents have also been forced to pass up on career opportunities or even
change career goals entirely.
Some parents start stacking their deck early. 12% plan for childcare before their child is even conceived. Another 27% start making plans while they were pregnant. However, the research reveals, just as in any life, things don’t always go as planned. Working parents admit that a mere 57% of their child-rearing has gone how they expected.
Over the last five years, they’ve also had to get creative with childcare. Some drive out of their way to either pick their child up or drop them off. Others call out of work, bring their child with them to their job, or choose a less-than-ideal daycare.
Almost three-quarters believe that their employer has an obligation to help working parents balance their work and personal lives.
“It’s encouraging to see that 75% of working parents are satisfied with their childcare set up, but still, that leaves a quarter who aren’t. Being a working parent is difficult enough and every family should know that their child is being cared for and nurtured even when they’re
not around,” explains Schweikert.
“Working parents cited that getting updates on their child when they’re not around (30%) and enrolling their child in a reliable daycare (26%) would decrease their overall stress levels the most. It’s imperative to find a solution that works for all working families.
