Two-thirds (66%) of parents say raising kids is harder today than it was two decades ago and just 7% report it is easier, while 26% think it is about the same.
At the same time, more than half of parents believe they spend too much time on their phones (56%), with smaller shares saying this about the amount of time they spend on social media (36%) or playing video games (11%).
Mothers (61%) are more likely than fathers (49%) to say that they spend too much time on their phones, as are White parents (60%) compared to their Black (52%) and Hispanic (46%) "colleagues."
Parents' assessments of their social media use follow similar patterns, with parents who are female, White, younger, and who are more educated claiming they spend too much time on these sites.
#7 I Don’t Know What An Appendix Does But I Do Know The Doctors That Are Trying To Save My Child Are Just Quacks
The phenomenon of parents posting about their children on social media, sometimes referred to as "sharenting," has been the subject of many editorials and opinion pieces in recent years. As many as 82% of parents who use social media say they have posted photos, videos and/or other information about their children on these sites.
Of those, again, women are more likely than men to say they have done this (89% vs. 71%), as are younger parents – between the ages of 18 and 49 – than their older — 50 and up — counterparts.
#9 Couldn't Decide If This Deserved The Unfathomable Stupidity Or Vaccine Flair
A big reason why 'Stuff Mom Groups Say' doesn't run out of content is ease of use. 76% of parents who post about their kids on social media say that the ability to effortlessly share things about their children with friends and family is a major factor in their activity, while smaller but meaningful portions say it comes from a desire to showcase their children's accomplishments (36%), and peer pressure — sharing because other parents they know share these things (11%).
#14 Thats More Than 3 Pagents A Month If They Start When She Was Born! Of Course The Poor Thing Doesn't Want To Out Her Sippy Cup Down Shes A Baby!
Mutual animosity can also be an element that leads parents to posting edgier content in these groups. Michelle Brown, the host of The Pondering Stepmom Podcast, said, "Some mothers are quick to judge the parenting of a fellow mom by pointing out failed parenting methods or perceived behavioral flaws in other people's children."
"This is an ever-evolving problem. With the influx of mom reels and videos on social media, the mom comparison game has significantly impacted mothers everywhere," she explained.
#17 In A Why Did Your Toddler Tantrum Thread Mom Admits To Sending Her Son To School With No Shoes Or Clothes And Posts Them Completely Unrestrained In The Car
#19 Is It Ok If My Toddler Shares The Same Eating Disorder As The Rest Of The Family?
#20 Need To Pee? Hand Your Baby To A Random Stranger In The Public Restroom!
"For some reason, many of us moms (myself included) can easily get caught up in toxic mom bonding, which happens when bonds are created through gossip, negativity, and drama," Brown added.
"When groups of moms get together and immediately start comparing notes on their kids — what they eat, how they behave, how they’re disciplined, how they’re doing in school, what activities they’re in, which moms work outside of the home, and which moms don’t, a phenomenon of mean girl behavior and unhealthy motherhood competition can begin to grow."