Parent Aggravation Up Significantly

parentaggravation

While frustration is a normal part of parenthood, too much of it can impact the ability to parent effectively. So a new report by Child Trends on parent aggravation levels is cause for some concern.

Researchers found that between 1997 and 2011/12, the proportion of parents reporting aggravation increased by more than 50 percent. In North Carolina, the rate grew from 24 percent in 2003 to 34.9 percent in 2011/12.

The researchers measured aggravation among parents living with their children, ages
birth through 17 by:

  • how often the child does things that really bother the parent;
  • how often the parent has felt the child is much harder to care for than most other children of the same age; and
  • how often the parent has felt angry with the child.

There are several evidence-based programs designed to assist families with effective parenting, including:

For more information about these programs in North Carolina, contact The North Carolina Partnership for Children, Smart Start local partnerships and Prevent Child Abuse NC.