Why parents are ok with only 18 hours a week to themselves

Parents are only getting 10% of their week to themselves. But according to a new study, it’s “absolutely worth it.”

The poll of 2,000 U.S. parents of children under the age of five found the average parent gets 18 hours of the week for themselves, dedicating 47% of their week to professional or personal tasks and 42% to keeping their child entertained, engaged and educated.

Commissioned by Primrose Schools (https://www.primroseschools.com) and conducted by Talker Research, the study found nearly all parents (92%) would willingly add onto their already-overloaded schedule to make sure their child can explore their interests.

Ninety-six percent of parents encourage their children to explore their interests, even if it’s not traditionally academic in nature. Many shared their children have expressed interests in music (68%), zoology (52%), art (50%), cooking (33%) and playing team sports (33%).

Some also shared the weirdest and wildest things they’ve had their children express an interest in:

“Taking [things] apart and putting them back together,” said one parent.

One particular child showed a strong interest in vacuum cleaners: “Not just playing with [vacuums], but learning how they work, watching videos about different models, and even pretending to review them like a product tester. It was unexpected, but it showed curiosity, attention to detail.”

But 62% admitted they frequently wish they could have some kind of help keeping their children enriched and educated. For many parents, that comes in the form of having an interest-based curriculum for their children.

Parents reported that their children seem happier (56%), more engaged in their daily activities (50%) and seem more independent (47%) as a result of the interest-based curriculum. Close to four in five (79%) have even learned something new from their child because of their interest-based learning.

“Every child’s curiosity is a window into how they learn best,” said Dr. Amy Jackson, chief early learning strategy officer at Primrose Schools. “When we nurture those unique interests — whether it’s music, bugs or learning how plants grow — we’re not only supporting their development, but we’re also showing them that their passions matter, building positive character and social-emotional skills.”

The study revealed 84% of parents believe their child’s personal interests should play a large role in their early education and care experience. Another 93% believe their child’s interests can become good life skills for them as they grow up, even outside of academic settings.

Two in three (63%) believe enrichment activities — like playing music, learning to cook or STEM-based play — are “very essential” to their child’s early educational experience.

If enrichment activities were included during their child’s typical early education or preschool day, 54% of parents said it would make them feel more confident in their choice of school. A further 31% said it would help ease the pressure of planning after-school activities for their child.

Forty-six percent also believe their child would feel less stressed if they were able to explore their interests in an early childhood educational setting.

And, of course, it can buy back time for parents. Parents believe having their child enrolled in a school program that incorporates their interests can save them 51 hours, on average, per week.

“When enrichment is built into a child’s school day, it’s both a benefit for the child and their parents,” Dr. Jackson added. “Children gain confidence and independence by exploring new experiences in a structured, supportive environment, and parents gain back valuable time knowing their child’s growth and happiness are being nurtured throughout the day.”

WE ASKED PARENTS WHAT UNEXPECTED THINGS THEIR CHILDREN HAVE SHOWN AN INTEREST IN. HERE’S WHAT SOME SAID:

• Chess
• Bugs
• Gardening
• Fishing
• Elevators
• Drawing comic strips
• Learning new languages
• Creating music
• Photography