Next time that opinionated mom in your parenting group boasts about her kids devouring their vegetables, share this enlightening statistic with her. A recent survey conducted by OnePoll, which included 2,000 parents, revealed that the average parent commits 221 “parenting blunders” each year. Yes, you read that correctly—221 mistakes. With 365 days in a year, that adds up to about 4,000 “errors” by the time your child turns 18.
Common Parenting Missteps
What are the most frequent missteps? A major one is too much screen time, reported by 65% of parents. I can certainly relate to that. And with my kids home due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it’s only getting worse. Another common blunder is unintentionally teaching kids inappropriate language (42%). I have definitely been guilty of that. Additionally, allowing children to watch content that isn’t age-appropriate is cited by 39% of parents. So, I’m definitely three for three on this list.
I’m not sharing this to make you feel guilty. Not at all! Instead, I want you to embrace the truth: parenting is the ultimate amateur sport. I’ve been at it for over a decade, and I can confidently say that nobody has it all figured out—no matter how polished they appear.
Facing Online Judgment
I’ve faced my fair share of online judgment. There was the time I angered people on the Internet for not making my three-year-old eat a banana. She was upset because I cut it the wrong way. Seriously. I wrote a post about it, and someone had the audacity to suggest I should have my kids taken away for that. If that isn’t ridiculous, I don’t know what is.
I’m sure many of you have also experienced online parenting shame or felt inadequate because someone on Instagram seems to have it all together while you’re there in your comfy clothes, desperately resisting the urge to buy a camper for your kids to live in the driveway. The truth is, we’re all just figuring it out as we go, and this survey reinforces that reality. Parenting is a chaotic mix of responsibilities that we must navigate, and there’s no manual available. Just when you think you’ve got a handle on things, your kids change, and you find yourself starting from scratch.
Embrace the Journey
So, cut yourself some slack. And, for goodness’ sake, hold back your judgments. There’s no need to act superior online. Keep your comments respectful and recognize that you’re making just as many mistakes as the next person. And if you think otherwise, you’re mistaken—because that’s simply how parenting works.
There’s so much happening in your home that you might not even be aware of, regardless of how vigilant you are. For instance, Ana Rodriguez shared in her article about the aforementioned survey that she was shocked to discover her son had been jumping off their roof into the pool whenever he was home alone. I can relate; I did the same thing as a kid, albeit onto a trampoline. Sorry, Mom!
The pressure to be the perfect parent is overwhelming, and the quest for “results” can be exhausting. Ultimately, we’re just trying to raise compassionate, thoughtful individuals who will, one day, start families of their own. We might have a vague idea of what we’re doing, but nothing concrete. Kids will always throw unexpected challenges our way, and that’s perfectly okay. Acknowledge your mistakes, support other parents in your community, and remember this mantra: Don’t be a jerk.
For more insightful parenting discussions, check out this related post on other parenting challenges. And if you’re interested in pregnancy resources, visit the CDC’s website for valuable information.
Summary
Parents make an average of 221 mistakes annually, demonstrating that no one has perfect parenting down. With common issues like excessive screen time, inadvertently teaching inappropriate language, and allowing age-inappropriate content, it’s clear that parenting is a complex journey with no manual. Instead of feeling judged, support one another and recognize that everyone is navigating their unique challenges.