Results from the “What Do You Think” Survey

The results are in! You may remember my earlier post highlighting  “controversial” topics most moms face at some point during motherhood. Well, I asked and you answered! Thanks to all who participated. I have to admit I was among the minority for one of the questions but was glad to learn I wasn’t the only one.

This was a lot of fun, but I agree with many of you that it was difficult to arrive at one answer. A couple of you wished there were more answers to the questions, while others thought some of the questions were misleading.  We recognize there was no one “right” answer to any of these questions – it’s all subjective – and there are probably a million different ways to answer each question. That’s why it was so great you left comments after the survey. Not only did I get more ideas for a follow up poll, but I also got a guest blog or two expanding on some of these issues! Stay tuned for more surveys like these!

Now on to the results. Here’s what you think…

 

About going “au natural” during birth, a.k.a using no epidural?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Would never use it, never have		12.6%	20
Could not imagine not using it		42.1%	67
It depends on the birth		45.3%	72
answered question			159

About the length of time a mother should breastfeed?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
As long as she possibly can		30.0%	48
Up to when the child can actually ask for “mommy milk”		16.9%	27
Anything over a year is too long		48.8%	78
Anything past six months is too long		3.8%	6
Way less than six months		0.6%	1
answered question			160

 

About “baby wearing”? (Meaning you carry your child everywhere – either in your arms or with a sling – and rarely use a stroller. It’s a concept that’s meant to make you closer to your child in all respects)
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
I have never heard of this		12.3%	20
This is my M.O. with my child		22.7%	37
I think it’s a nice concept, but not practical for me		32.5%	53
I think it’s a bit much		30.1%	49
answered question			163

 

About making your own baby food?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
This is what I always do/have always done		11.0%	18
I tried to do this as much as possible, or when I could		34.4%	56
It’s a nice concept, but not practical for me		51.5%	84
Why would you do this at all?		3.1%	5
answered question			163

 

About using cloth diapers?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
That’s all I use/have used		8.6%	14
It’s a nice concept, but not practical for me		69.9%	114
I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t use disposable diapers		21.5%	35
answered question			163

 

About planning your child’s immunization schedule, and choosing which immunizations your child will receive?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
I do all of this on my own		3.1%	5
I do some of this		17.8%	29
I leave all of this up to my doctor		79.1%	129
answered question			163

 

About giving your child drugs (like NyQuil) to sleep in certain situations, like on a long flight?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
I have not had to consider this		42.1%	69
I would never consider this		39.6%	65
I’ve done this a few times when I had to		18.3%	30
I do it all the time		0%	0
answered question			164

 

About letting your child go to sleep with a bottle of milk?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
I never did this/would never do it		79.1%	129
Occasionally it would happen		16.6%	27
My child does this/did this all the time		4.3%	7
answered question			163

 

About letting little girls only play with “little girl” toys, and letting little boys only play with “little boy” toys?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
This was never an issue with our children		18.3%	30
My children play with toys for both genders all the time, and that is fine		79.3%	130
I think parents need to persuade gender-specific toys when possible		1.8%	3
I never let my children play with any toys outside the gender-role		0.6%	1
answered question			164

 

About holding your child back in school so he/she can excel better in sports?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
I have never heard of such a concept		26.4%	43
We have done this		1.8%	3
I would never consider this		71.8%	117
answered question			163

 

About “helicopter” parents? You know, the parent who pays extremely close attention to his or her child’s or children’s experiences and problems, particularly at educational institutions – to the point of obsession?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
I am one		0.0%	0
I am one in moderation		23.8%	38
I understand why someone would be one, but I would never do this		30.6%	49
I don’t understand why any parent would do this; it’s not healthy for the child		45.6%	73
answered question			160

 

About when your daughter can get her ears pierced?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Whenever she asks		22.4%	36
We pierced her ears soon after birth		7.5%	12
Anytime in preschool is acceptable		0.6%	1
Anytime in elementary school is acceptable		19.9%	32
Anytime in middle school is acceptable		45.3%	73
Anytime in high school is acceptable		4.3%	7
Only after high school		0.0%	0
answered question			161

 

About when your daughter can shave her legs?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
When hair becomes obvious and dark		32.5%	53
Whenever she asks		9.2%	15
End of elementary school age is fine		12.3%	20
Middle school age is fine		41.7%	68
High school age is fine		4.3%	7
answered question			163

 

About when your daughter can wear make-up?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Whenever she asks		1.8%	3
Not before middle school		65.6%	107
Not before high school		32.5%	53
Not before college		0.0%	0
answered question			163

 

About when your child can start dating?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Any time in middle school		1.8%	3
Any time in high school		39.3%	64
Freshman year		8.0%	13
Sophomore year		27.6%	45
Junior year		19.6%	32
Senior year		1.8%	3
After high school		1.8%	3
answered question			163

 

About when to let your child carry a cell phone (with texting options) for social reasons, not just for safety?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Whenever they ask for one		0.0%	0
Elementary age		0.0%	0
Middle school age		40.5%	66
High school age		56.4%	92
After high school		3.1%	5
answered question			163

 

About when to let your child have an email account?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Whenever they want one		1.2%	2
Elementary age		7.4%	12
Middle school age		42.3%	69
High school age		19.0%	31
Any age is fine as long as I’m supervising them		30.1%	49
answered question			163

 

About when to let your child have a Facebook or Myspace page?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
Whenever they want one		0.0%	0
Elementary age		0.6%	1
Middle school age		30.7%	50
High school age		46.6%	76
Any age is fine as long as I’m supervising them		12.3%	20
Never		9.8%	16
answered question			163

 

About letting your child drink underage and while under your supervision?
Answer Options		Response Percent	Response Count
I will allow this from time to time		3.7%	6
I will allow this only on special occasions		34.6%	56
I would never consider letting my child do this		61.7%	100
answered question			162

So what do you think now? Are you surprised, relieved, ashamed or have no reaction at all? Share your thoughts! Don’t forget your comments count towards winning a Mother’s Day gift bag and gift certificate from The Bee’s Nest! See contest rules here. Can’t wait to hear your thoughts!