Parenting

Help! Parenting in Progress

In a recent survey of 413 parents of infants and toddlers, over half reported that they needed help in dealing with stress and someone to talk with about child-rearing problems. Although it is not surprising that parenting is perceived as difficult, approximately 23% of the parents in this primarily middle-class sample reported that their children had 12 or more problems, placing them above the recommended clinical referral score for the Child Behavior Inventory.

Behaviors most frequently cited as problematic were whining, noncompliance, and temper tantrums. Moreover, daily hassles reported by approximately 30% of the parents included finding baby-sitters and difficulty managing children in public. Difficulty in parenting increased with greater family size; in addition, parental reports of behavior problems were greatest for 2-year-olds.

Information about the type and frequency of child-rearing difficulties provides a context for interpreting parental reports of child behavior problems. Given the prevalence of difficulties  reported in this community sample, the authors conclude that pediatricians should be informed about the importance of anticipatory guidance for parents while their children are infants and toddlers.


0'Brien, M. (Dept. of Human Development & Family Life, 4001 Dole, Univ. of Kansas, Lawrence, KA 66045).(1996). Child-rearing difficulties reported by parents of infants and toddlers. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 21, 433-446

 

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