For our annual Parenting Report, we surveyed nearly 2,000 parents to uncover what it truly feels like to be a parent today. We explored how parents are redefining identity, time, and confidence, revealing the lived realities of modern parenthood. From this data, we highlight the evolving trends shaping modern parenting. Here’s what we found.
Parenthood is no longer seen as a loss of self but as a celebration of identity. While the media and social narratives continue to highlight what parents lack–focusing on sleep deprivation, systemic shortcomings, lack of support, and rising anxiety–they overlook a significant aspect of what this generation of parents does possess.
Nanit’s research reveals that becoming a parent is a journey of growth, joy, and self-discovery, helping parents affirm and uncover their sense of self in both existing and new ways. As one parent shared in our survey, "I am rediscovering and reparenting myself while parenting my child."
Key Takeaways:
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Parenthood is overwhelmingly seen as a journey of self-discovery, with 64.5% of parents uncovering new aspects of themselves and 15% feeling completely transformed. 43.5% of parents juggle “multiple versions” of themselves, with mothers twice as likely as fathers to agree.
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For some, parenthood brings a sense of loss–22% say they’ve lost touch with their pre-parent self, with mothers 2.5 times more likely to feel this way. Meanwhile, 22% feel like the same person, just with a child, and 37% admit they’re still figuring out who they are, a sentiment more common among mothers and younger parents.
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58% of parents feel they’re spending the perfect amount of time parenting. While 26% want more time, 15% feel it’s too much.
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Parenting decisions strike a balance between gut feelings and research. Nearly half (47%) trust instinct first and verify with data, while 36% start with research and confirm with intuition.
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Thanks to Nanit, 80% of parents had increased confidence, 95% experienced greater peace of mind, 71% achieved better quality rest, and 54% felt closer bonds with their baby.
The Empowering Shift in Parenting
Each generation of parents face unique challenges, but we also bring fresh innovation, perspectives, and approaches to parenthood. So why is the conversation still so focused on what’s lacking? Everywhere we turn, headlines remind us how hard it is to be a parent - how little we sleep, how unsupported we feel, and how anxious we are. But how do parents really feel? How do they see themselves beyond the daily grind of caregiving?
As it turns out, the story is more positive than we’re led to believe. There are more moments of joy, empowerment, and connection than what’s reflected in the media. This generation of parents feels more capable and confident than ever before.
This is the Parenting Shift: a redefinition of what it means to raise the future while uncovering and affirming who we are.
Becoming a parent is no longer seen as a sacrifice of self but as an affirmation of identity. While social narratives often focus on the struggles of parenting, Nanit’s research reveals a different story–one of growth, joy, and profound self-discovery.
Parenthood brings a deeper connection to one’s identity, with 65% of parents uncovering new aspects of themselves and 15% feeling completely transformed. While the idea of “losing oneself” in parenthood persists, only 22% of parents reported feeling disconnected from their pre-parent identity. These insights show that most parents are not only adapting to their new roles but thriving within them.
One parent shared, “I feel more confident in who I am as a person. It’s like now that I’m doing arguably the hardest job on the planet, I feel like I can do anything.” Another reflected, “Becoming a parent has profoundly transformed my sense of self, grounding me in a new purpose while challenging and expanding my boundaries. It’s like seeing life through an entirely new lens.”
More than half of parents (58%) believe they spend the right amount of time on parenting, challenging the pervasive myth of parental burnout.
Unpacking Parenthood’s Impact
Positive Transformations
When the transition into parenthood happens, we are all bracing ourselves for impact. We’re told to say goodbye to our former lives, and by extension, our former selves. But in our research, 80%of Nanit parents—a huge majority—report that parenthood has actually had a positive impact on their sense of self.
One parent expressed, “I have found an inner strength that I never knew existed. I realize that I can do challenging things every day.” Another shared, “It’s like I’m always evolving and learning new sides to myself. Parenthood has allowed me to give myself grace, especially in the most difficult times.”
Interestingly, 43.5% of parents identified as living multiple versions of themselves, with mothers being twice as likely to resonate with this perspective. A mother explained, "It's like seeing life through an entirely new lens, where my priorities, values, and even my patience have shifted... At the same time, it's a humbling journey that's taught me to embrace imperfection and grow in ways I never expected."
Navigating Challenges
Despite the positive transformations, some parents face challenges in reconciling their new identities. About 22% felt disconnected from their pre-parent self, with mothers being 2.5 times more likely to experience this than fathers. Additionally, 37% of parents admitted they are still figuring out who they are, though younger parents reported finding this process easier than older ones. One parent revealed, "My priorities have changed... While I still value my individuality, my identity now includes being a source of love, guidance, and protection for my child."
Another parent shared, “I feel like I have such a bigger purpose. I’m striving to be a better person because I have someone looking up to me now.”
Understanding Parental Stress and Anxiety
While today’s parents may feel more self-assured, they still face the sometimes tough and stressful aspects of raising children. What helps get parents through the trickier times? We’re proud to share that Nanit parents report feeling less anxiety about sleep compared to other stressors.
Baby’s sleep:
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11% of parents reported being very anxious, 17% moderately anxious, 24% fairly anxious, 33% a little anxious, and 15% not anxious at all.
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Mothers were 1.5 times more likely than fathers to report high levels of anxiety related to baby’s sleep.
Baby’s milestones:
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9% of parents reported being very anxious, 16% moderately anxious, 28% fairly anxious, 35% a little anxious, and 12% not anxious at all.
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There were no significant differences between mothers and fathers for milestone-related anxiety.
Baby’s wellbeing:
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14% of parents reported being very anxious, 21% moderately anxious, 28% fairly anxious, 30% a little anxious, and 7% not anxious at all.
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Mothers were 1.6 times more likely than fathers to report high levels of anxiety about their baby’s wellbeing.
Parenting stress overall:
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8% of parents reported being very stressed, 25% moderately stressed, 39% fairly stressed, 25% a little stressed, and only 2.5% said they were not stressed at all.
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Mothers were 4 times more likely than fathers to report high levels of stress due to parenthood.
Top Challenges
What is parents’ single biggest parenting challenge? Surprise! It’s not sleep! Instead:
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45% of parents reported that the biggest challenge as a parent is feeling overwhelmed. Only 25% said it was sleep deprivation and 25% said balancing work and family
Reframing Worries
Despite societal pressures and constant external expectations, many parents report feeling less anxious about certain challenges. One parent shared that what surprised them the most about becoming a parent was how it “actually helped me be less anxious and more present as a person. It’s given me the perspective of not sweating the little stuff as much.” This shift in perspective allows parents to focus on the bigger picture and embrace the present moment, reframing worries into manageable, less overwhelming thoughts.
Finding Balance in Parenting
Time Well Spent
Parents are increasingly confident in how they allocate their time, with 58% feeling they spend just the right amount of time on parenting and 47% feeling the same about their professional lives. However, there is still a longing for deeper connection, as 76% wish they could spend more time nurturing their partnerships.
While many parents are successfully balancing work and family life, Nanit’s technology plays a key role in supporting that balance. By keeping parents connected to their little ones no matter where life or the day takes them, Nanit provides peace of mind during important transitions—whether it's preparing to return to work after parental leave or easing back into the office full-time. At the core of Nanit’s mission is fostering connection and helping parents navigate both their careers and their families with confidence and ease.
“I’ve never felt my sense of self being as important as it does after becoming a parent,” shared one respondent. Another noted, “I think having my child has made me feel complete when I never knew I was missing anything.” Reflecting further, one parent shared, "I spent a long time looking to settle down. Now that I have, I feel fulfilled, confident, and motivated. I have more worth than just my job, and I can focus on my three pillars: being a good father to my children, a good spouse to my partner, and a good role model to my community."
Intuition Meets Innovation
When making decisions, parents blend instinct and research seamlessly. Nearly half, 47%, trust their instincts first and then verify with data, while 36% approach it the other way around—starting with research and confirming with instinct. One commented, “You will worry about everything, but follow your instincts and do your research and/or talk to your doctor. Don't be afraid to ask questions.”
Generational Shifts in Parenting
As societal expectations evolve, so too do the decisions surrounding parenthood. Across generations, there is a noticeable shift towards having children later in life, often due to an increased focus on career, personal development, and other priorities before starting a family. While the assumption is that older parents possess greater maturity, patience, and wisdom, the reality suggests that age may not necessarily make the job of parenting easier. In fact, older parents often face greater challenges than their younger counterparts across several dimensions of family life.
Younger parents are more likely to show little to no change in the amount of time they spend on activities like self-care, social activities, relationships and hobbies compared to their pre-parent days.
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Self-Care: A significant number of parents report a decline in self-care after having children, with 45% noting a major decrease and another 45% observing a moderate decline. Parents over 30 were 1.4 times more likely to experience a significant reduction in self-care compared to those aged 25-29.
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Social Activities: The research found that 44% of parents experienced a significant decrease in social time, and 43% noted a moderate decline. Older parents were more likely to report a significant reduction, while younger parents saw either no change or a smaller decrease.
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Relationships: Around 30.5% of parents saw a significant reduction in relationship time, with 53.5% reporting a moderate decline. Younger parents (25-29) were 1.7 times more likely to report no change in relationship time than those over 30.
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Hobbies: In regards to time spent on hobbies, 46.5% of parents experienced a significant reduction in time, while 40.5% reported a moderate decline. Younger parents were 1.7 times more likely to report no change in time spent on hobbies compared to older parents.
Older parents tend to feel that parenting has had a more significant or negative impact on their relationship dynamics, future goals, and self-understanding.
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Relationship Dynamic: Over 40% of parents reported a positive impact of parenthood on their relationship dynamics, while 25% reported a negative impact. Older parents were more likely to report negative changes.
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Future Goals: More than half (58%) of parents saw a positive impact of parenthood on their goals, with 8% reporting a negative effect. Younger parents were more likely to view parenthood as a positive influence, while older parents often reported negative or neutral impacts.
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Self-Understanding: A big majority of parents (72%) reported a positive impact of parenthood on self-understanding, while 6% noted a negative effect. Older parents were more likely to report no change or negative effects compared to younger parents.
One parent noted, “I believe I am more self aware now after becoming a parent and that's in my emotions, intentions, and relationships.”
The Role of Technology
Today’s generation of parents differ from previous generations in one major way: they have access to much more technology. At the same time, technology can be a double edged sword. So, do Nanit parents consider technology to help them in their parenting? Yes.
Tech as a Parenting Ally
Modern parents are increasingly turning to technology for support and connection.
A striking 84% say technology has made their parenting more informed, and 64% believe it helps them understand patterns in their child’s behavior.
Social connection also plays a role, with 53% interacting with parenting groups and 38% using social media to connect with others.
Nanit’s Contribution
Nanit’s products play a significant role in improving parents’ experiences. Our survey found that, thanks to Nanit, 80% of parents had increased confidence, 95% experienced greater peace of mind, 71% achieved better quality rest, and 54% felt closer bonds with their baby.
One parent said, “Using the Nanit baby camera has brought me unexpected joys like being able to talk to my son all the way from China. I got to watch his dad put him to bed which made me feel so connected, even from across the world. Joining story time in New York, even when I couldn't physically be there, has created such special moments for our family. It's amazing how technology can bridge the distance and keep me part of his everyday life.”
“Nanit has caught some sweet memories for me,” shared one parent. “When I look back, I am filled with gratitude for the technology that allows me to capture these moments.” Another parent added, “It makes me so happy that those moments are saved so I can look back and relive. While my son was little, everything was a blur, but having Nanit and the memories makes me feel secure.”
One respondent shared, “Rewatching clips of my son when he was so little in his crib hits me in such a special way. It’s a great reminder to slow down and enjoy the little moments more because they’re so precious.”
Parenting is evolving, and with it, so are parents. Nanit’s 2025 Parenting Report underscores the ways today’s parents are finding empowerment, joy, and connection in their journey. This is parenting forward.
