Working parents forced to rely on six different people to help raise a child
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 (46 per cent), extended family such as aunts, uncles and cousins (27 per cent) and siblings (26 per cent) are included in their "village," as well as their best friend (17 per cent) and neighbours (8 per cent).
This network even extends beyond parents' inner circle, as they're also looking to their child's teachers (47 per cent) and the faculty at their child's school or nursery (33 per cent) 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, which was conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Lightbridge Academy, found that 29 per cent of working parents still feel they need a second version of themselves to get by and 36 per cent could use an even larger village. This may be because the average working parent stresses about childcare six days each month.
Almost one-third (32 per cent) worry the 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 per cent vs 17 per cent).
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However, a similar number (25 per cent) of all working parents fret most about their lack of childcare options. More than one-third (36 per cent) of all working parents surveyed cited being impacted by the "childcare cliff". Those parents have been faced with increased costs (50 per cent), daycare layoffs and low staffing (31 per cent) and closures (26 per cent).
Others adjusted their working hours to accommodate the availability (36 per cent) or were forced to leave their job entirely (22 per cent). Overall, 53 per cent admit that their stress levels keep them from being the parent they want to be. "It's no secret that thousands of families are teetering on the edge of the childcare cliff," said 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 centre, 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."
Over the last year, working parents say they have missed three different social or professional events due to lack of childcare. And the sacrifices of juggling work and home don't stop there; working parents have also missed some of their child's events, such as sporting events or recitals (27 per cent) or family dinners and meals (24 per cent).
Working parents have also been forced to pass up on career opportunities (24 per cent), or even change career goals entirely (22 per cent). Some parents started stacking their deck early and began planning for childcare before their child was even conceived (12 per cent). Another 27 per cent started making plans while they were pregnant, but still before their child entered the world.
But the research reveals that things don't always go as planned - working parents admit that just 57 per cent of their child rearing has gone how they expected. More than that, over the last five years, they've also had to get creative with childcare and drive out of their way to either pick their child up or drop them off (33 per cent), call out of work (31 per cent), bring their child with them to work (22 per cent) or even choose a less than ideal daycare (12 per cent).
In fact, almost-three quarters (72 per cent) believe that their employer has an obligation to help working parents balance their work and personal lives.
"It's encouraging to see that 75 per cent 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," said Schweikert.
"Working parents cited that getting updates on their child when they're not around (30 per cent) and enrolling their child in a reliable daycare (26 per cent) would decrease their overall stress levels the most. It's imperative to find a solution that works for all working families."
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