The Resilience Revolution: Study Reveals How Modern Parents Are Breaking the Mold

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May 20, 2025, 08:54 ET

Two-Thirds of Today's Parents Prioritize Emotional Health – A Dramatic Shift from Previous Generations

ISELIN, N.J., May 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Modern parents are throwing their own parents' rulebooks out the window, according to new research commissioned by Lightbridge Academy. Two-thirds of parents surveyed prioritize mental and emotional health—an area 41% report their own parents largely overlooked. Modern parenting strategies now center on fostering well-rounded, resilient children through more balanced approaches emphasizing communication skills (74%), education (69%), and physical activity (65%).

The nationwide study of 2,000 parents with children ages 0-6 reveals a significant evolution in values. While the previous generation emphasized academics (57%), physical activity (48%), and basic communication (41%), today's parents are intentionally "widening the lens" of child development.

"Modern parents are prioritizing resilience now more than ever, recognizing that it's essential for children to thrive in today's unpredictable, fast-paced world," said Gigi Schweikert, CEO of Lightbridge Academy. "By building strong, trusting relationships and giving children room to experience and work through challenges, we help them develop the skills and confidence they need, not just for today, but for life."

Pre-kindergarten priorities now emphasize:

Listening skills (64%)
Communication abilities (58%)
Building confidence (57%)
Emotional regulation (46%)

These foundational skills help children develop the resilience needed to face challenges throughout life. The study indicates 91% of parents utilizing daycare believe their provider plays a crucial role in this development, with 85% emphasizing the importance of shared values within their child's support network.

Despite reporting an average of five parenting missteps weekly, today's parents are embracing this evolution with confidence—nearly eight times as many believe their approaches are more effective than previous generations' methods (47% vs. 6%). Parents are also working on personal growth, focusing on self-care (48%), maintaining healthy lifestyles (43%), and supporting their own mental wellness (42%).

For more information and to learn more about Lightbridge Academy's early childhood education programs, visit LightbridgeAcademy.com.

ABOUT LIGHTBRIDGE ACADEMY
Established in 1997, the company was founded as a family business based on core values and a Circle of Care philosophy that places equal importance on the needs of children, their families, teachers, center owners and the community. Lightbridge Academy provides quality early education and child care programs to children aged six weeks through kindergarten. The company currently has over 160 child care centers either open or in development throughout Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. The Lightbridge Promise also leads the industry as the Gold Standard for health & safety in the child care industry. In 2024, Lightbridge Academy was ranked #210 on Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 and #274 on the Franchise Times Top 400. This year, Lightbridge Academy was awarded the Franchise Business Reviews Franchisee Satisfaction Award, ranked #179 on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list, and was featured on Franchise Times Fast & Serious list.