Survey: Staying Home With Kids Is Harder Than Going To Work
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LONDON (CBS) — A nationwide survey of new parents has revealed some interesting insights into the life of parenthood that might be contrary to what some are led to believe.
A poll of over 1,500 UK parents, commissioned by AVEENO Baby, revealed that 31 percent of people surveyed said staying at home with a child is harder than going to work.
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"Becoming a parent is an amazing experience, but we understand that entering this new chapter of life can also bring with it a great deal of stress and worry, so we wanted to discover more about what new parents experience in the first few years, what they wish they had known and how best we can support them," says AVEENO baby skin expert Rebecca Bennett.
Not only is parenting expensive according to a report by ChildCare Aware, it is challenging considering all the numerous decisions parents need to make.
"From what you put in your baby's mouth to what you put on their skin, every small decision becomes much bigger and you worry you might not be making the right choice, or are being judged by others.
Amy Whipple-Myers isn't surprised by this study. She's the lead instructor at Nest Center City--a facility which offers parenting classes and even a place for kids to play and give mom and dad a break.
"When we look for challenges in parenting there are things we can always find a strategy for," she says.
Like asking for help when you need it.
"An hour. An hour that's for you. An hour to recharge. Because stay at home parents give and give and give. That's your whole day," says Amy.
AVEENO Baby hopes their survey will shed a light on common parenting struggles, strengths, and confusions in order to help new parents.
"We want to give new parents the confidence to feel they are making the right choices for their baby's skin, so they feel more in control of this element of their new path of discovery."
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Other parenting truths included: 22 percent saying you will never finish a cup of tea again, 33 percent said you will eat most meals with one hand, 19 percent said you will only watch telly on catch-up, 17 percent said your back will always hurt and 42 percent said you will feel complete unconditional love for the first time.
Forty-eight percent of new parents surveyed still believe that starting a family is a perfect experience and 43 percent said they weren't expecting that leaving the house would become a military operation.
Seventy-one percent polled felt social media made parents more competitive and 22 percent said they feel constant pressure to be the "perfect parent."