FAILING to spend enough time with their children is the top parenting concern of British mums and dads, according to a poll.
A study of parents with children aged 10 and under found they have an average of six worrying thoughts about their kids a day – including whether they have a healthy diet, are fitting in with others, or have skin complaints such as eczema.
1
Not spending enough time with their children is parent's top concern Credit: Getty
Other fears include whether they are doing well at school, whether they are good at sports and not being able to help with homework or problems in general.
One in five stress about their children making enough friends and 19 per cent fret over their kids possibly having an undiagnosed behavioural condition like ADHD.
The survey, commissioned by Childs Farm, found a fifth of parents worry their child might get bullied because of the way they look, while others fear their child isn’t achieving as much as others.
When comparing parents who have children with skin complaints with those who don’t, it revealed mums and dads of those with problem skin are more concerned their child isn’t cute, pretty or handsome enough (20 per cent).
Just four per cent of those who don’t have skin complaints worry about the same thing.
They also are more concerned their child may be bullied as a result of their looks (23 per cent), compared to parents who don't have a child with a skin complaint (nine per cent).
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Sadly, 64 per cent believe their little one is already self-conscious about their appearance.
Just over half (53 per cent) of children have been bullied due to their appearance, with 63 per cent picked on due to skin complaints such as eczema.
And 40 per cent have even reconsidered posting a photo on social media of their child in case it led to horrible comments.
Joanna Jensen, founder of Childs Farm, said: “Being a mother of two I know all about worrying about your children, about their achievements at school, about the friends they make, about everything – it’s all a natural process.
“But worrying about their skin is a preventable concern.
“I can completely relate to all the parents who worry about their child’s skin conditions.
"My youngest has eczema and it was my concern for her skin that led me to develop the Childs Farm range and help other children become happy in their skin- whether they have dry, sensitive eczema-prone skin.”
The study also found that of the 73 per cent of children who have had an issue with their skin, 35 per cent have seen their symptoms remain an issue or become exacerbated during the last 18 months of lockdowns.
Half (51 per cent) blame this on increased anxiety, 42 per cent weren’t able to have access to their usual healthcare professionals and 52 per cent blame it on over washing.
The top 15 things parents worry about when it comes to their kids
1. That they aren't spending enough time with them
2. They aren’t eating a healthy diet
3. They don’t ‘fit in’ with other kids at nursery / pre-school / school
4. They aren’t sleeping enough
5. That they can’t help them with their problems in general
6. They aren’t doing well in nursery / pre-school / school
7. They have a skin complaint, such as psoriasis, eczema, dry or sensitive skin
8. They aren’t achieving as much as other children their age
9. They aren’t making enough friends
10. Other children might bully them because of how they look
11. They aren’t behaving themselves in lessons
12. They may have an undiagnosed behavioural condition, such as ADHD
13. That they can’t help them with their homework
14. They aren’t cute / pretty / handsome enough
15. They aren’t good at sports
For four in 10 (38 per cent), less time spent outdoors was also a contributing factor to children’s problematic skin.
It also emerged that parents believe their little ones started exhibiting signs of being self-conscious about their appearance at just five years and three months old.
As a result, more than nine in 10 worry their children feeling negatively about their appearance may hold them back from achievements they may fulfil later in life.
A quarter of those polled via OnePoll said their favourite moment with their child was bathing them for the first time, but 44 per cent worry about doing daily tasks, such as washing their child, due to their skin conditions.
Dr Jennifer Crawley, consultant dermatologist for Childs Farm said: “Skin conditions, such as eczema or dry and sensitive skin can have a big impact on both the parent and child, but it doesn’t have to be a heart-breaking situation.
“Prevention is always the best method when it comes to managing skin sensitivity so ensure you nourish and hydrate your little one’s skin with natural moisturiser designed for children’s skin. Pay special attention to the hands, but also the lips and feet.
"Keep on top of skin health though regular moisturising – easy to remember as ‘moisturise, moisturise, moisturise."
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