What Would Parents Give Up For A Healthy Child?

The majority of parents would give up social media, vacations for life, and even their best friend—all for their child’s well-being.

The survey of 2,000 parents of children aged 0–8 looked at what parents would be willing to give up if it meant their child was happy and healthy as the back-to-school season approaches, with the season’s first colds and flu to follow.

If their child could be healthy mentally and emotionally, parents would be willing to give up social media (76%), their smartphone (61%), and even electricity (39%).

Concerts (71%) and sporting events (71%) would also be off the table, and 66% said they’d even give up trips and holidays for the peace of mind of knowing their child’s well-being is in tip-top shape.

But activities weren’t the only thing on the table. Respondents were also asked about the relationships they’d be willing to forgo. Many said they would give up their best friend (60%), living with their partner (41%), or the ability to talk to their parents (40%) if it could somehow keep their child from coming down with any illnesses or ailments.

Taking things a step further, the average parent would be willing to go more than $30,000 in debt to have their child treated quickly for a cold or the flu for the rest of their lives.

Conducted by Talker Research on behalf of TYLENOL, the survey moved from hypothetical “what ifs” to explore what parents actually do to keep their children as happy and healthy as possible.

Almost two-thirds (63%) of parents said keeping their children healthy is their top priority during the back-to-school season.

This may be why a majority noted that, in addition to new supplies (85%) and new clothes (82%), medications (52%) and hand sanitizer (75%) are just as essential on the back-to-school shopping list.

The average parent reported thinking about ways to keep their child happy and healthy more than 16 times per day, and two-thirds of parents are more concerned about their child getting sick during the back-to-school season than at any other time during the year.

 Parents report losing an average of five hours of sleep per night caring for their sick children.

 “Looking at the data, it’s clear American parents are willing to give up pretty much anything if they could ensure their children would always be in good health physically and emotionally,” said Dr. Mona Amin, TYLENOL brand partner, Pediatrician and mom. “With back-to-school right around the corner, the lengths parents have already reported they’ve gone to in preparation for cold and flu season is astonishing. When choosing the right medicines, it’s important to pick trusted brands with historical reputations. Dye-free and great tasting products are a win-win for parents – ensuring you don’t have to compromise between safety and your kid’s willingness to take the medicine.”

When asked how often respondents go through their medicine cabinets, throwing out old, expired items and replenishing with new products, nearly three-quarters (72%) said they don’t go longer than every few months and replenish an average of four times per year.

Two in five (41%) rarely find expired bottles, yet 10% admit that a bottle between three and six years old lurks in the back. 

Parents keep their medicine cabinets readily stocked with pain relievers and fever reducers (81%), cold and flu medications (77%), a thermometer (73%), tissues (68%), and cough drops (57%).

Still, 71% have needed specific medications for their child within the last year and found that they didn’t have it on hand, and 38% of those parents went to several stores in order to see it.

If all parents surveyed don’t have the medicine they need, 37% said there is no limit to how far they’d travel to get that medication, with one in 10 (11%) explicitly noting they’d drive more than 50 miles.

More than one-third (36%) would even be willing to travel to more than 10 different stores to find it for their child.

Produced in association with SWNS Research