50 Greatest Challenges of Being a Parent

by Shabana Adam | 31 August 2012

first day

Coping with a child being unwell, getting into a new routine and bedwetting were all rated as key stresses faced by mums.

Helping a child through their first day at a new school and dealing with competitive parents at the school gates were also common trials.

In fact, almost three quarters of the mums polled admitted that motherhood had been much more challenging than they ever imagined.

Emma Kenny, child psychologist and spokesperson for bedwetting experts DryNites, who commissioned the study, said:

"There are some challenges you expect when you embark on parenthood, like the sleepless nights and tantrums. But I don’t think anyone can be prepared for how many issues and stressful situations you will face over the years – from the baby and toddler stage and throughout a child’s school life.

Even teenagers and young adults seem to come with their own set of challenges for poor mums

"Once the tantrums subside and you are getting more sleep, you then have to face a whole new set of trials, such as your child’s first day at school, which many mums are having to get ready for over the next couple of weeks.

"And once they are settled into school life, mums have to contend with the worries of bullies, moving up to new classes and schools, as well as a whole range of tests and exams.

"Even teenagers and young adults seem to come with their own set of challenges for poor mums," she added.

Sleepless nights were named the biggest challenge by 2,000 mums, followed by toddler tantrums, staying patient and keeping on top of household chores.

Getting children to eat the right foods was named as the fifth most common trial for mums, along with potty training, sibling rivalry, childcare issues and giving your child what you want without spoiling them.

Encouraging youngsters to clean their teeth properly completed the top ten.

Other trials and tribulations faced by millions of mums over their youngster’s childhood include trying to keep them away from computers and games consoles, having to answer a constant stream of questions and tackling bullying.

Researchers also found that 48 per cent found their child’s school years stressful, with 14 per cent even believing that they found it more of a challenge than their son or daughter did.

Making sure they do their homework, avoiding bullies and just getting them to enjoy school were named as the biggest school-time challenges.

A further 18 per cent of mums found they had the most trials during their child’s pre-school years, around the age of three or four years old, but more than three quarters of mums admitted they worry that things are only going to become more challenging as their children get older.

Almost half of the mums polled also claimed that they find things more challenging than their partner.

DryNites brand manager, Stephanie Madrell, , said: “There is no surprise that a child’s first day at school rated highly among the challenges parents face.

"A child’s first day at school can understandably be a particularly stressful and poignant time for both mothers and their children.

"The upheaval of starting school and dealing with all the new things; new teachers, new friends and the sudden change in sleep patterns, can often couple with your child hitting a bedwetting speed bump.

"If your child starts to experience bedwetting it is important to reassure them and offer support and encouragement as they acclimatise to their new routine in the classroom," she added.

Top 50 challenges parents face

Sleepless nights/sleep deprivation
Tantrums
Having patience
Keeping on top of the household chores
Getting children to eat the right foods
Potty training
Sibling rivalry
Juggling childcare
Give your child what they want without spoiling them
Getting children to clean their teeth properly
Dealing with an ill child
Leaving your baby for the first time
Getting a baby to sleep through the night
Getting a baby/child to sleep at night
Not constantly worrying and wrapping your child in cotton wool
Getting children to do their homework
Encouraging your children to concentrate and work hard at school
Tackling bullying
Going back to work after having a baby
Keeping an eye on your child 24/7
Encouraging your children to be friends with the right crowd
Getting into a routine with a new baby
Trying to keep your children from spending too much time in front of a computer/TV screen
Bed-wetting
Getting a toddler to stay in bed
Getting time off work when your children are ill
Your child’s first day at nursery/pre-school
Your child’s first ever day at school
Teaching them the value of money
Dealing with other people’s opinions on your parenting skills
Having to answer your child’s constant questions, even when you don’t really know the answer
Keeping a lid on bad language
Getting to school on time
Other competitive mums
Helping children to take the right path through their education
Keeping your children in clothes that fit when they outgrow things so quickly
Teaching them that fighting and hitting is wrong
Finding time to do your child’s reading homework every night
Keeping an eye on what your children are looking at online/watching on TV etc
Children sitting exams
Trying to convince doctors to listen and take you seriously
Your child’s first day at secondary school
Leaving your children with a babysitter for the first time
Remembering to fill in all school paperwork
Preventing children from smoking
Explaining birth, life and death
The Birds and the Bees chat
Coping when you’re child’s first pet has died and knowing what to say
Knowing how to react when they use their first swear word
Clingy children