Majority of American parents commit at least four 'parenting mishaps' a week

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Parents commit almost 4,000 “parenting mishaps” before their child moves out of the house, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 parents (aged 23+) found the average parent commits 221 little hiccups per year – adding up to 3,978 between their child’s birth and age 18.

The top parenting “faux pas” was found to be allowing children to have too much screen time (65%), followed by accidentally teaching children swear words (42%) and letting children watch something that wasn’t age appropriate (39%).

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, the survey uncovered the challenges that often come with modern parenting and found that when it comes to parenting, sometimes it’s about embracing the imperfections.

Results revealed that children are the most challenging to handle at age six, and parents should watch out for their youngest – they’re the most likely to cause trouble.

Despite this, 50% of parents also admit their youngest child is their favorite (of those who have a favorite).

With all the trouble little ones can get into, sometimes parents need a break from the chaos. Parents who were surveyed were willing to give up quite a bit if it meant their child would be perfectly behaved.

Three in 10 would give up social media, while others were willing to sacrifice wine (30 percent) or Netflix (26 percent).

When they need parenting advice, those surveyed turn first to their partner (42%), then to their mother (41%) or to other parents (31%).

Today’s modern parent also utilizes technology, with 17% of parents using the internet and almost 10% looking toward social media for parenting advice.

“Being a parent is the hardest job in the world, and one that you truly can’t prepare for,” said Jeanne Collins, Vice President of Marketing at Prestige Consumer Healthcare. “From diapers and sleep routines to feeding schedules and all that baby stuff, the goal of the Butt Paste community is to be a source of fun amidst the chaos – one diaper change at a time!”

Overall, it’s about embracing, not judging, the community of parents around you. In fact, surveyed parents agreed that the trend they’d most like to see go away in 2020 is mom shaming (64%).

But even with resources to turn to, just 12% of respondents felt “very prepared” when they first became a parent – though an additional 44% felt “somewhat prepared.”

And when first becoming a parent, respondents were most surprised by the lack of sleep new parents get (50%), how hard it can be to get a new baby to fall asleep (37%) and the amount of stuff a baby comes with (31%).

But even feeling unprepared – and having a handful of “mishaps” per week – 66 percent of parents said they excel in teaching their children to be kind and compassionate.

To accomplish this, the majority of parents (54%) agree that the “authoritative” parenting style is most effective – being sensitive and responsive to children’s needs, while maintaining sternness.

“The beauty of modern parenting is that we can all connect on the fact that no one has it all together,” said Collins. “Not only is it about laughing through the little mishaps that happen along the way, but also finding solutions that uniquely work for you as a parent – that’s what our brand is all about.”

WAYS IN WHICH CHILDREN MISBEHAVE

1. Jumping on the beds                                              70 percent
2. Throwing things or playing catch inside                  63 percent
3. Slamming bedroom doors                                       56 percent
4. Drawing on the walls or floor                                   52 percent
5. Using screens after lights out                                 50 percent
6. Eating something they shouldn’t                             49 percent
7. Hiding toys under the bed instead of cleaning        47 percent
8. Roughhousing with a sibling                                   46 percent
9. Blaming their sibling for something they did           45 percent
10. Calling their sibling names                                     45 percent

ddPARENTING TRENDS RESPONDENTS WOULD LIKE TO SEE LESS OF IN 2020

1. Mom shaming                                             64 percent
2. Overscheduling kids                                   64 percent
3. Kids having their own phones/iPads          54 percent
4. Gender reveal parties                                 39 percent
5. Co-sleeping                                                 37 percent

Parenting mishaps: Average of 4.25 per week x 52 weeks = 221 per year x 18 years = 3,978 parenting mishaps in 18 years