Parents Only Get 10% of the Week to Themselves, Survey Shows

The first few years of parenthood can be all-consuming. Between getting your little one fed and ready for the day to keeping your house in order and staying on top of work, it’s a wonder how parents get it all done.

To get a better picture of just how much time parents are spending doing what, Talker Research on behalf of Primrose Schools, conducted a survey of over 2,000 parents under 5. Unsurprisingly, the average parent reported getting just 18 hours a week or about 10% of their time to themselves. Nearly half of their week (47%) was devoted to professional or personal tasks, while another 42% is spent keeping their child entertained, engaged and educated.

And yet, most parents say it’s worth it. Over 90% said they would willingly add to their already overloaded schedule to ensure their child can explore their interests, from music (68%) and animals and insects (52%) to cooking (33%) and team sports (33%). Believing that their kids are happier (56%), more engaged (50%) and more independent (47%) when given space to explore what excites them.

This kind of support and engagement surely takes a village. More than 60% said they wish they had more help keeping their kids enriched and engaged. For some, that support comes from family, friends or neighbors. For others, it’s part-time childcare or early education programs.

Whether you are working on building up your support system or finding the right childcare fit, a few smart strategies can help make a hectic schedule more manageable. Check out this viral hack for tackling your to-dos, learn how to make the most of small pockets of play time and dive into these 60-second self-care solutions for those in-between times. Because ultimately, those rare solo hours aren’t indulgent, they’re essential for recharging, reconnecting and showing up for yourself and your family.