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<h2><strong>During the Pandemic, 44% of Working Parents Worked More and 66% Experienced Burnout&nbsp;</strong></h2>



<p><em>Vivvi’s State of Working Parents Survey Highlights the Need for Greater Support from Employers for Working Parents</em></p>



<p><strong>New York, NY, July 20, 2021</strong> – According to Vivvi’s <a href="https://www.inc.com/sophie-downes/vivvi-working-parent-childcare-benefits-caregiver-burnout.html">State of Working Parents Survey</a>, conducted by <a href="https://www.wakefieldresearch.com/">Wakefield Research</a>, 80% of U.S. working parents were offered flexible work policies in the past six months, but those policies resulted in more problems than solutions. Nearly 40% of parents reported that increased flexibility meant working more hours. In the last month alone, more than half of the working parents surveyed had to work outside normal hours an average of seven times to make up for time missed caring for their children. </p>



<p>“More than a year since the start of the pandemic, working parents are still struggling with child care and wondering why their employers haven’t heard them,” said Charles Bonello, co-founder, and CEO of Vivvi. “As the country reopens and conversations about returning to the office heat up, it’s important employers don’t overlook the need to support working parents. The stakes could not be higher. If more companies do not provide their caregiving employees with the flexible support that they need, we’ll see even more parents forced to leave their current jobs, or the workforce altogether.”&nbsp;</p>



<h3>Key findings from the survey include:</h3>



<ul><li>Working mothers and fathers are looking for support. Child care struggles related to the pandemic have put a renewed emphasis on what was already weighing heavily on parents. An overwhelming 82% of working parents say spending more time at home with their children over the past year has made employer-provided child care benefits even more important to them. But with 66% of working parents experiencing signs of burnout, it’s clear most of the current employer benefits are falling short.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<ul><li>Labor gaps. Employers’ failure to help their working parents could have huge implications for their workforce. More than two in three working parents (68%) say child care struggles force them to take on fewer responsibilities at work. More than 40% considered looking for a new job or leaving the workforce altogether.</li></ul>



<ul><li>Working Moms. Women often bear the brunt of child care, yet working women don’t feel like their employers are reaching out to them. Not only are women downplaying their child care struggles to colleagues (66% believe speaking up about child care issues to team members can make them seem like a problem employee), nearly two in five say they or other working parents at their company weren’t involved at all in determining the company’s benefits.</li></ul>



<ul><li>A more flexible definition of flexibility. An overwhelming majority — 94% of working parents — would benefit from flexible working arrangements, but it is clear that the flexibility and support already offered is not enough. In fact, three out of four parents who have reported having some kind of child care benefits said they don’t meet their current needs.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p><strong>Survey Methodology</strong></p>



<p>The Vivvi State of Working Parents Survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 500 U.S. working professional parents of children ages five and under, employed full time at companies of 500+ employees with employer-sponsored benefits, between May 26th and June 2nd, 2021, using an email invitation and an online survey.</p>



<p><strong>About Vivvi</strong></p>



<p><a href="http://www.vivvi.com/">Vivvi</a> provides exceptional child care and early education for children of all ages. With programs across the country including on-campus, in-home, in-office and virtual tutoring, Vivvi partners with employers of all sizes to make child care more accessible and affordable. By helping companies cater to working parents and providing a comprehensive vision for today’s families, Vivvi offers the most powerful tool for recruiting, retention and productivity.</p>



<p><strong>About Wakefield</strong></p>



<p><a href="https://www.wakefieldresearch.com/">Wakefield Research</a> is a market research consultancy specializing in strategic and tactical research for corporations and organizations throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Our staff has the classical training of career researchers, but they have also worked in public relations firms, marketing and ad agencies, news organizations, political communications companies, and non-profit organizations. This uniquely valuable background informs the marketing and positioning of some of the most prominent brands in the marketplace.</p>



<p><strong>Media Contact:</strong><br>Sunshine Sachs: <a href="mailto:Vivvi@sunshinesachs.com">Vivvi@sunshinesachs.com</a></p>


Vivvi’s State of Working Parents Survey Highlights the Need for Greater Support from Employers for Working Parents

State of Working Parents Survey | Vivvi

State of Working Parents Survey


<p>While first-time parents will be overcome with the magical experience that is having a newborn, they will also have to navigate a new territory of a changed sleep schedule. <a href="https://healthywa.wa.gov.au/Articles/S_T/Sleep-0-3-months#:~:text=Baby%20sleep&amp;text=Most%20wake%202%20to%203,to%205%20hours)%20at%20night.">Babies wake more often during the night</a> for feeding than adults are used to. In fact, on average many babies will wake up 2 to 3 times per night, and their sleep cycles are much shorter than adults causing them to wake or stir every 40 minutes!</p>



<p>First-time parents can help get through the sleep deprivation during the newborn stage by following a few tried, tested and true tips.</p>



<h2>Coping With No Sleep During the Newborn Stage For First-Time Parents</h2>



<p>Getting enough hours of sleep is as important to your physical and mental health as eating a nutritious diet and getting an adequate level of exercise each day. Sleep loss, or sleep deprivation, can cause new parents to feel forgetful, depressed, and bad-tempered. Looking after a newborn is tough as it is, but this can become even more of a challenge when you aren’t getting enough hours of sleep.</p>



<h2>What Are the Sleep Patterns of a Newborn?</h2>



<p>In general, newborns will sleep for 8 to 9 hours during the day and then about 8 hours at night. But, because they have a tiny stomach they need to wake up every few hours to feed. Most newborn babies don’t start sleeping through the night until at least 3 months old, at which point you can <a href="https://vivvi.com/blog/top-sleep-training-tips">start their sleep training</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Top 7 Coping Strategies for Sleep-Deprived Parents</h2>



<p>Here are a few expert tips to help improve parental sleep, and some strategies on coping with the sleep problems that arise with your newborn. With the right support, you’ll be able to fall asleep and improve your sleep quality.</p>



<h3>1. Take advantage of the hospital nursery.</h3>



<p>The hospital nurse is there for you to use, so don’t feel guilty! It’s your time to heal from giving birth, so you can rest while a trained professional helps take care of your baby for the few nights you are in the hospital.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>2. Say no to added responsibility and don’t be afraid to accept help.</h3>



<p>In many cases, new moms feel as if they should be the ones responsible for everything that they were doing before the baby arrived, on top of taking care of their newborn. Maybe you feel guilty about not spending enough time with your other children. But don’t lose sleep over it!&nbsp;</p>



<p>Try not to take on any extra responsibility during this tricky time. Your hands are already full with a newborn at home, and it’s important to keep in mind that you don’t win any prizes for becoming burnt out and tackling sleeplessness on your own, so don’t be afraid to ask your partner and your family for some help.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>3. Practice good sleep hygiene.</h3>



<p>Proper sleep hygiene can make all the difference when your newborn comes home. Getting a sleep routine in place for going to bed at the same time every night prepares your mind and body for bed. This is extremely helpful for when you need to sleep right when the baby does. Try setting a relaxing routine, like taking a warm bath or reading, plus minimize or eliminate the use of electronics a few hours before your bedtime.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>4. Try some breathing exercises.&nbsp;</h3>



<p>If you find you have trouble nodding off even when your baby is sleeping, try out some deep breathing techniques to help soothe and relax yourself. If that doesn’t work and you find your mind is still buzzing with thoughts, try writing them down to help empty your mind enough to drift off to sleep.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>5. Maintain the best sleep environment for you and your baby.</h3>



<p>In addition to establishing a great bedtime routine, it’s important to consider the environment you are sleeping in. Is your bedroom as relaxing as possible? Keep the clutter of the outside world out of your bedroom as these can be distracting to a good night’s rest.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>6. Take turns as a team.</h3>



<p>The best help available to you is staring right at you: your partner. Employing a bit of teamwork can make a huge difference. Taking turns at night to get up with the baby will help you both get some uninterrupted sleep and hopefully sleep longer.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>7. Relax in other ways.</h3>



<p>Sleep isn’t the only thing that can help you feel relaxed. Set time aside to listen to your favorite music, read a book, cook a delicious meal or work on a favorite hobby. You might think it would be impossible to get anywhere with a new hobby, but even a few minutes per day could help reduce your stress levels and take your mind off of your newborn for a little bit. It can also be a good idea to sit on the couch and watch your favorite shows, too.</p>


Bringing home a newborn can be an exciting time, but it can also lead to feelings of sleep deprivation. Here are some of our best strategies to cope. 

How Parents Can Navigate Sleep Deprivation with a Newborn | Vivvi

How New Parents Can Navigate Sleep Deprivation with a Newborn


<p>While vacations and staycations are always filled with wonderful family moments, getting there and back can often be a daunting task for parents. If you have never <a href="https://vivvi.com/blog/travel-safe-with-kids-during-a-covid-summer-car-planes-buses-and-trains">traveled with kids before</a>, or want to make sure your trip goes smoothly, We have gathered some helpful tips for traveling with kids to make traveling as smooth as possible. After all, travel can be a fun experience that everyone can enjoy while creating memories that will last a lifetime.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Strategies for Overcoming Challenges When Traveling with Children</h2>



<p>Check out some of these strategies below to help you reduce stress when traveling with young children.</p>



<h3>1. Prep Makes Perfect: How to Fly With a Toddler</h3>



<p>Travel is an awesome way to introduce new sights, sounds, and things to your children, no matter what age. But, air travel with children can become a bit of an overwhelming ordeal due to unpredictable schedules, packing lists that never end and cranky kids, as some of the few challenges you might face along your journey. Not to mention the challenge of flying with a baby or toddler that won’t sleep.</p>



<p>Here are some tips for flying with young children from when you arrive at the airport to when you land:</p>



<p><strong>Have an understanding that each flight will be different.</strong> Each time you fly, your children will be a little older than the last time. Don’t assume that what worked for them last time will work for them again. Think about what’s changed over the months and what they’re interested in to make a plan and feel prepared.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Put extra thought into your carry-ons.</strong> You will want to bring along every little thing you can think of for your children’s carry-on, but still be able to fit it under the seat in front of you. Changes of clothes are a must, for your children and yourself. And it’s a good idea to throw them in a wet bag so you can keep dirty clothes contained if there’s an accident.</p>



<p><strong>Make the journey into a game.</strong> If you can, get a little creative and think about the flight as a game for your children, just as much as the destination. You can play red light, green light while waiting in the terminal, play I Spy on the plane, and make little things out of disposable cups or utensils.&nbsp;</p>



<p><strong>Don’t be afraid to ask for help. </strong>Many flight attendants love working with children and toddlers and they won’t mind helping. You can ask them to watch over your child when you go to the bathroom, and if your neighbors are nice they’ll be more than willing to help out as well.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>2. Choose the Perfect Destination</h3>



<p>With so many places to see, how can you just narrow it down to just one? Our biggest recommendation for paring down your list is to go with your interests first and let the destination decision follow after.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Do you want to lie on the beach or would you rather go for a nature-packed adventure? Or visit a premier theme park like Disney World that all kids love? Once you can decide what you want to do on vacation, you can decide where the perfect destination will be from there.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>3. Prepare for Time Zone Changes in Advance</h3>



<p>Traveling through multiple time zones is bound to cause jet lag. The best way to deal with jet lag is to simply wait it out while your body adjusts. However, the first few days can be rough, especially among children. There are a few things you can do before your departure to help get your preschooler ready for a time zone change in advance.</p>



<p>Make sure that your children are used to sleeping in unfamiliar settings before you leave. You can also try and emulate the sleeping situation they will encounter once at your travel destination, like sharing a bed or a travel crib. This helps remove one obstacle to a good night’s rest once you get there.</p>



<p>In addition, be sure that the entire family gets plenty of sleep the night just before your departure.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>4. Set Vacation Expectations</h3>



<p>In many cases, children do much better in different situations when they know what is going to happen. Speak with your little ones about what they can expect during your travels. For example, you can talk about what they will experience on their flight, baggage check-in, hotel room and discuss onboard etiquette and airplane safety.</p>



<h3>5. Plan Engaging Activities</h3>



<p>When you travel you want everyone in your family to be engaged and having a fun time. The key to help keep preschoolers or school-aged children engaged during a family trip is to include them in the planning, in even just a small way. The more you allow and empower your children to pick and choose what they are interested in, the more engaged they will be.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>6. Bring a First Aid Kit</h3>



<p>Having a first aid kit on hand no matter where you go is always a good idea. After all, accidents can happen at any time and it’s always better to be safe than sorry!</p>



<h3>7. Limit Screen Time</h3>



<p>Getting your kids to get off their devices can prove to be a challenge during your trip. To combat this, it’s helpful to set down some rules about screen time on your vacation before you leave. Make sure that your kids understand how much time they are allowed to spend each day on their technological devices.&nbsp;</p>



<h3>8. Packing Smart: Tips for Packing for a Family Trip</h3>



<ul><li>Allow each child to carry a small backpack with them, to fill with toys or other items. Be sure they understand that they will need to carry it.</li><li>Don’t forget to pack an extra change of clothes for each child, as accidents can happen in such small places like the plane and during the hustle and bustle of traveling.&nbsp;</li><li>Have some wipes and hand sanitizer handy.</li><li>Consider saving room (and weight) in your suitcase by packing fewer clothes and opting to do a little laundry during your trip.&nbsp;</li><li>Bring along coloring or activity books in the space that you save in your suitcase. These can easily be left behind once they are used up.&nbsp;</li></ul>



<p>Traveling can be a great way to expose your little ones to new experiences, people, places, and things. Hopefully you can apply some of these strategies to make your travels as seamless as possible so you can have a good time traveling with your loved ones and making memories that will stay with your little ones for the rest of their lives.</p>


Traveling can throw you and your little ones into a whirlwind of real life experiences that can help them grow. Here are our most useful tips to make travel a breeze.

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