--- title: Parents of Young Children Want Change description: A national survey reveals that parents of young children seek better work-life balance, flexible arrangements, and quality child care to enhance family time. image: https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/What%20Do%20Parents%20With%20Young%20Children%20Want.png --- [![Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hs-fs/hubfs/Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png?width=666&height=414&name=Child%20Care%20Aware%20Logo%20(1).png "Child Care Aware of Missouri Logo")](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication) Open main menu Close main menu [Child Care Keeps Missouri Working℠](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-keeps-missouri-working) # Parents of Young Children Want Change [Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/author/child-care-aware-of-missouri) [Share this blog post via Email](mailto:?subject=%3Cspan+id%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper_name%22+class%3D%22hs_cos_wrapper+hs_cos_wrapper_meta_field+hs_cos_wrapper_type_text%22+style%3D%22%22+data-hs-cos-general-type%3D%22meta_field%22+data-hs-cos-type%3D%22text%22+%3EParents+of+Young+Children+Want+Change%3C%2Fspan%3E&body=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post%3A+https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-parents-of-young-children-want-change) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-parents-of-young-children-want-change) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/cckmw-parents-of-young-children-want-change) ![](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/hubfs/What%20Do%20Parents%20With%20Young%20Children%20Want.png) **Summary: What Do Parents With Young Children Want? A New National Survey Offers a Glimpse** By Emily Tate Sullivan | May 27, 2026 The article reports on a new nationally representative survey from New America’s New Practice Lab showing that many U.S. parents with children under age six do not have the leave, work, or child care arrangements they want. The biggest concern is a lack of quality time with their children, with nearly three in four parents saying they want more meaningful family time and more than half saying they wanted more time off after their child was born. The survey also finds that financial pressures shape parents’ choices. Most parents want to work in some capacity, but 75% say their current work arrangement is not what they prefer. Many parents, especially mothers, want more flexible or part-time work, but they often doubt that such jobs are available or would pay enough to justify the cost and effort. The article emphasizes that families’ preferences vary widely, so no single child care or work policy would meet every need. Some parents want to care for children themselves, while others prefer formal care, relatives, flexible combinations, or other arrangements. The broader takeaway is that U.S. families need more options: paid leave, affordable child care, and flexible work to better match parents’ real preferences and improve family well-being. Read the full article: [https://www.the74million.org/zero2eight/what-do-parents-with-young-children-want-a-new-national-survey-offers-a-glimpse/](https://www.the74million.org/zero2eight/what-do-parents-with-young-children-want-a-new-national-survey-offers-a-glimpse/)   --- Explore our other Child Care Aware® of Missouri resources: [Child Care Keeps Missouri Working℠](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-keeps-missouri-working)[Child Care Health and Wellness](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/child-care-nutrition-and-physical-activity)[Community Data](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/community-data)[Join Our Team](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/join-our-team)[Leadership Development Opportunities](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/leadership-development-opportunities)[Missouri Office of Childhood Updates](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/missouri-office-of-childhood-updates)[Scholarships for Educators](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/scholarships-for-educators)[Show Me Child Care Resources](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/show-me-child-care-resources)[Support Child Care Aware® of Missouri](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/support-child-care-aware)[Resources to Build Your Business](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/resources-to-build-your-business)[Training and Technical Assistance](https://partnerpublication.mochildcareaware.org/partner-publication/tag/training-and-technical-assistance) Visit [https://mochildcareaware.org/](https://mochildcareaware.org/) to learn more.   #### About - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### Services - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three #### News - Menu Item One - Menu Item Two - Menu Item Three Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram