Survey Reveals Shift in Parenting Priorities

A recent survey of 2,000 parents of children aged 0 to 6 has revealed a significant shift in parenting priorities. Today’s parents are focusing on developing their children’s emotional well-being, communication skills, and confidence, rather than just academics and physical activity.

What’s Changing in Parenting?

* 41% of parents said their own parents did not place a lot of emphasis on mental and emotional health when they were growing up. * 74% of parents prioritize good communication in their parenting efforts. * 69% and 65% of parents focus on education and physical activity, respectively. * 64% of parents want their children to develop listening skills before kindergarten. * 58% of parents want their children to develop communication skills before kindergarten.

• Education (57%), physical activity (48%), and communication skills (41%) were the top priorities for parents when growing up.
• Today, parents are prioritizing emotional well-being, communication, and confidence, just as much as academics or physical activity.

Why Are Parents Making This Change?

Parents are making this change because they want their children to develop skills that will help them in relationships before kindergarten. They also want to ensure their child’s safety and well-being.

• Support from others is crucial for parents when it comes to their child’s growth and development.
• Parents worry about their child’s safety (49%), followed by bullying (38%), making friends (34%), and mental health (28%).

What Do Parents Want for Their Children?

Parents want their children to develop skills that will help them in relationships before kindergarten. They also want to ensure their child’s safety and well-being.

• Listening skills (64%), communication skills (58%), confidence (57%), and emotional regulation (46%) are important to parents.

How Do Parents Feel About Their Own Parenting Methods?

Perfection or Progress?

* 47% of parents believe their own parenting methods are more effective than their parents’ methods. * 42% of parents “always” or “often” catch themselves parenting the same way their parents did. * The average parent feels like they make five missteps a week.

• Parents are actively working on their well-being, emotional health, and how they show up for their children.
• Parents feel they’ve become a better person since becoming a parent (89%).

Conclusion

Parenting is a Journey, Not a Destination

As children enter their early school years, parents are eager to continue learning and growing alongside them. Today’s parents are more self-aware than ever and are actively working on their well-being, emotional health, and how they show up for their children.

“Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress,” said Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy. “Today’s parents are more self-aware than ever. They’re actively working on their well-being, their emotional health and how they show up for their children. While they acknowledge their own growth areas, they’re also intentionally evolving from the way they were raised. What’s clear is that becoming a parent inspires real personal transformation—and as children enter their early school years, parents are eager to continue learning and growing alongside them.”

What Do Parents Want for Their Children?

• Listening skills (64%), communication skills (58%), confidence (57%), and emotional regulation (46%) are important to parents.

How Do Parents Feel About Their Own Parenting Methods?

• Parents are actively working on their well-being, emotional health, and how they show up for their children.
• Parents feel they’ve become a better person since becoming a parent (89%).

What’s Next for Parents?

A New Chapter

As children enter their early school years, parents are eager to continue learning and growing alongside them. Nearly eight times the percentage of respondents believe their own parenting methods are more effective than their parents’ methods.

• Parents want to learn more about themselves and their child (59%).

Conclusion

Parenting is a Journey, Not a Destination

As children enter their early school years, parents are eager to continue learning and growing alongside them. Today’s parents are more self-aware than ever and are actively working on their well-being, emotional health, and how they show up for their children. “Parenting isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress,” said Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy. “Today’s parents are more self-aware than ever. They’re actively working on their well-being, their emotional health and how they show up for their children. While they acknowledge their own growth areas, they’re also intentionally evolving from the way they were raised. What’s clear is that becoming a parent inspires real personal transformation—and as children enter their early school years, parents are eager to continue learning and growing alongside them.”

References

Survey Methodology

“We’re witnessing a generational reset in parenting,” said Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy. “Today’s parents are prioritizing emotional well-being, communication, and confidence just as much as academics or physical activity. They’re not just raising children—they’re intentionally nurturing whole people.