Half of all Parents Have Reached Their Breaking Point According to New Research from Bright Horizons

dad sitting at counter with laptop

January 25, 2022 –  As the Omicron variant continues to upend daily routines across the country, working parents are once again struggling to keep their heads above water. According to a survey of more than 1,000 employed parents of children between the ages of 0-12, commissioned by Bright Horizons and conducted by Engine Insights, 47% of parents say they have reached their breaking point as the pandemic continues, with disruption in child care being a prominent stressor. The pandemic-induced whiplash of care and education disruptions is taking a toll on working parents and their children. 

Findings from the study show:

• More than two-thirds (70%) of working parents say the continuity of in-person schooling or childcare for their child(ren) is very or extremely important to their child(ren)’s well-being

• 70% of working parents also say having their child(ren)’s child care or school arrangements align with their work schedule is “very” or “extremely” important

• 62% of working parents say the continuity of in-person schooling or childcare is “very” or “extremely” important to their ability to work

• 71% of working parents say that having their children out of child care or school is disruptive to their daily routines.

Bright Horizons works with the nation’s top employers to provide employees with consistent, reliable childcare services. These employers know that offering flexible family services is critical to attract and retain employees. 

“The pandemic has illustrated the indisputable need for child care regardless of whether parents are working from home or in the office. In order to be engaged and productive in their jobs, they need their children to be well cared for”, said Stephen Kramer, CEO of Bright Horizons.  “Working parents are clamoring for child care support and showing a real sense of commitment and loyalty to their employer when it is provided on-site. Child care is as much a workplace and employment issue as it is a family issue.”

This survey was conducted by Engine Insights among a sample of 1,005 employed parents of children between the ages of 0-12. The survey was live on January 11-17, 2022.