If We Paid Parents Hourly They’d Make More Than Six-Figures Each Year

You don’t have to tell parents that the sleepless nights, early morning dropoffs and hours spent cleaning, cooking, chauffeuring and more are worth it. Raising a child is an immense blessing, but it’s undeniable that it can also be particularly time-intensive and draining. For many, the true value and effort involved in parenting can be hard to grasp.

To shed light on the full-time job that is parenting, Campbell’s Well Yes! Sipping Soups conducted a survey of over 2,000 moms raising school-aged children. On average, parents reported spending a staggering 97 hours a week on parenting tasks. If these hours were compensated at a skilled labor wage of $18-$19 per hour (because let’s face it, parenting requires a myriad of skills and continuous learning), moms would be earning nearly $100,000 a year.

This hypothetical six-figure salary doesn’t come without some pretty big sacrifices though. Of those surveyed, 47 percent admitted to regularly giving up date nights, time with friends and hobbies. These sacrifices aren’t just made when it comes to social time either. Over 88 percent of moms reported sacrificing sleep for their children, while 53 percent admitted they struggled to get in a nutritious meal because of their busy schedule.

While we may be far from providing parents the wages they deserve for their full-time dedication, there are ways to alleviate some of their burdens. Improved paid family leave, daycare stipends, flexible work schedules, remote work options, and other support measures can ensure that parents are either compensated for their time or given opportunities to take a much-needed breather. Supporting parents not only honors their hard work but also contributes to healthier and happier families.