Survival Guide

Parent's share their kid's anxiety-- and it's affecting their work: Survey

Be cool when the kids go back to school

If you've got that sinking feeling, you're not alone.

P.J. HARSTON

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With less than a week before the kiddies are back in school a survey shows that many parents share their kids' anxiety heading into the new academic year -- and it's affecting parents' work.

Desjardins Financial Security's 2008 Health is Cool survey shows that parents experience added stress due to the social pressures of providing as much hands-on parenting as possible.

93.3% FEEL PRESSURE

A whopping 93.3% of survey respondents with children agreed that they feel social pressure to raise exceptional kids. And 84.8% said this means doing as much as possible so their children are the best among other children the same age.

Just over 80% said they end up doing too much for their kids, resulting in overloaded family calendars, family and work issues as well as health issues.

"It's natural for parents to make sacrifices to ensure that their kids get the very best," says Michele Nowski, director of disability income claims and disability management at Desjardins Financial Security.

"But it becomes a problem when these sacrifices are detrimental to one's health. What tends to happen is that parents will put themselves last. This increases their stress and the likelihood that they will eventually become sick," she says.

A majority of all respondents -- 83% -- indicated that they have gone to work sick or exhausted, Nowski explains.

"In this case, parents did so to avoid having their work pile up and ensure that they would have enough time for their kids. But this sometimes leads to serious illness and longer periods of time away from family and work."

Dr. Steven Stein, with the Psychology Foundation of Canada, says these survey results are not surprising.

"Parents want to provide their kids with an enriched childhood full of opportunities and experiences," he says.

SCHOOL/LIFE BALANCE

"But let's remember that school/life balance is just as important as work/life balance. Sometimes, the basic lessons of life taught at home are just as enriching, if not more so."

Nowski suggests taking it easier on yourself and thinking about your needs, too, because your kids will be successful as long as you are happy and healthy.

P.J. Harston is the business editor

of the London Free Press.

pj.harston@sunmedia.ca.