The back-to-school season can be a stressful time for both parents and teenagers. A recent poll of 1,000 parents with children aged 11 to 17 has revealed the top frustrations they face, shedding light on the challenges of navigating family life in the digital age.
One of the biggest sources of stress for parents is their children’s lack of communication. Ignoring calls and texts, not sharing their whereabouts, and failing to update their plans after school are common complaints. The poll found that parents send an average of five messages a week asking about their kids’ location, with 59% of these messages sometimes being ignored.
Other common frustrations include messy bedrooms, dirty dishes, excessive phone use, and late arrivals. The poll also highlights the pressure parents feel to manage their children’s screen time and ensure they are keeping up with their schoolwork.
As parents struggle to coordinate busy family schedules, many are turning to technology for help. Location-sharing apps are proving particularly popular, providing peace of mind by allowing parents to see their children’s whereabouts. The poll found that 56% of parents using location-sharing apps do so for this reason, while 28% believe it helps build trust and 13% find it useful for managing family schedules.
Luisa Zissman, a podcaster and parent, shared her experience using location-sharing apps: “Giving my daughter the freedom she craves, while staying connected through tech and devices, really helps us both. Knowing where she is without having to constantly chase her for updates has taken a lot of stress out of our routine and helped me better coordinate our family’s busy schedule.”
David Rice, international general manager at Life360, a family connection and safety company, echoed these sentiments: “The back-to-school season is stressful enough for both parents and kids without constantly chasing each other for updates on each other’s whereabouts. By ensuring the whole family is always in the loop, parents and kids can ease some of that anxiety and navigate the chaos with a bit more confidence.”
Here are the top 30 ways 11 to 17-year-olds frustrate their parents, according to the poll:
1. Not tidying their bedroom
2. Leaving dirty dishes in their room
3. Spending too much time on their phone
4. Leaving lights on in empty rooms
5. Not helping with household chores
6. Not answering phone calls or texts
7. Being moody or distant without explanation
8. Leaving wet towels on the floor
9. Staying up late on school nights
10. Leaving shoes in the hallway
11. Procrastinating on homework
12. Playing video games all night
13. Constantly on social media
14. Arguing over screen time limits
15. Not letting you know where they are
16. Swearing and using language I don’t approve of
17. Sleeping in late on weekends
18. Not letting you know their plans
19. Not charging their phone
20. Complaining about school but not doing work
21. Spending hours in the bathroom
22. Asking for lifts at the last minute
23. Eating snacks meant for the family
24. Playing music too loudly
25. Arguing over curfew times
26. Coming home late
27. Losing new school uniform in the first week back
28. Forgetting keys
29. Suddenly needing ingredients for food tech lessons
30. Binge-watching TV series instead of studying
The poll highlights the importance of open communication and coordination between parents and teenagers. As families navigate the back-to-school season and beyond, leveraging technology and fostering understanding can make a world of difference in creating a less stressful and more harmonious environment for all.
