What’s driving parent guilt this back-to-school season?
This story version has been formatted as an on-air script for broadcast outlets. See the original research story here.
WHO'S A PARENT'S TOUGHEST CRITIC?
FOR MOST MOMS AND DADS... IT'S THEMSELVES.
A NEW SURVEY OF 2,000 PARENTS OF SCHOOL-AGED CHILDREN FROM RULA (ROO-LAH) FOUND MOST SAY THEY'RE THEIR OWN HARSHEST CRITIC AS THE BACK-TO-SCHOOL SEASON GETS UNDERWAY.
THE STUDY, CONDUCTED BY TALKER RESEARCH, FOUND PARENTS GIVE THEIR KIDS ABOUT FOUR PEP TALKS A WEEK ON AVERAGE, BUT MANY RARELY GIVE THEMSELVES THE SAME ENCOURAGEMENT.
MANY ALSO ADMIT THEY PUT THEIR OWN MENTAL HEALTH ON HOLD FOR MOST OF THE WEEK SO THEY CAN FOCUS ON THEIR FAMILY.
SO WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF AS A PARENT?
Research methodology:
Talker Research surveyed 2,000 parents of school-aged children who have access to the internet; the survey was commissioned by Rula and administered and conducted online by Talker Research between July 10 and July 14, 2026. A link to the questionnaire can be found here.
To view the complete methodology as part of AAPOR’s Transparency Initiative, please visit the Talker Research Process and Methodology page.
Stories and infographics by ‘Talker Research’ are available & ready to use. Stories and videos by ‘Talker News’ are managed by Talker Inc. For queries, please submit an inquiry via our contact form.
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