3 in 5 parents are ditching their parents playbook new study shows

Six in 10 parents are throwing their own parents’ rulebooks out the window, according to new research.A survey of 2,000 parents of kids ages 0 to 6 revealed that today’s moms and dads are doing things in a more modern way.While their own parents focused mostly on education and academics (57%), physical activity (48%) and communication skills (41%) while growing up, parenting priorities differ today.Forty-one percent said their parents did not place a lot of emphasis on mental and emotional health when they were growing up, but this is a focus for two-thirds of parents today.Good communication takes priority in parents’ efforts (74%), while education (69%) and physical activity (65%) are still focus areas, too.Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Lightbridge Academy, the survey sought to uncover what parents are prioritizing before their child is even ready to enter the classroom.The results show that parents want their kids to develop skills that will make them better at relationships before kindergarten, primarily sharpening their listening skills (64%) and communication skills (58%).Mental health-related skills like confidence (57%) and emotional regulation (46%) are also important to parents today.Support from others matters to parents when it comes to how their child is raised, with 91% of those who sent their child to day care saying that their child’s provider was important when it came to their growth and development.In these early years, parents admittedly worry about their child’s safety (49%) above all, followed by bullying (38%), making friends (34%) and their mental health (28%).To ensure their child has the support they need, 85% said that it’s important that their community share the same values.“We’re witnessing a generational reset in parenting,” said Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy.“Today’s parents are prioritizing emotional well-being, communication, and confidence just as much as academics or physical activ...