The majority of parents find it difficult to reach society’s expectation of what it is to be a ‘good parent’. 

Research by Coin published today found that 61% of mothers and 42% of fathers feel they fell short of what other people consider to be a ‘good parent’. 

Two thirds also said parenthood had negatively impacted their finances. 

Speaking to Lunchtime Live, columnist Mary McCarthy society expects too much from parents. 

“We probably need to reset our own expectations because that survey showed that we’re not living up to societal expectations of parenting,” she said. 

“The standards are just too high.” 

Cost of parenthood

Ms McCarthy said her generation were “supposed to have it all” but the reality of life means that is really difficult to achieve. 

She noted the cost of housing in particular is now much “higher than when I was growing up”. 

“I stepped out of the workforce for 10 years,” she said. 

“When I became a parent, I knew I couldn’t do it all; I’m not a very organised person and I knew I wouldn’t be able to work and look after the kids.

“I know I was privileged to be able to do that but, having said that, it wasn’t like I had loads of money. 

“We still rent our house as a result of that.” 

'Most mothers didn’t work back then'

Ms McCarthy said modern life came with other issues that her parents never had to worry about. 

“There’s that pressure to limit screen time for your kids and then feed them a healthy diet,” she said. 

“Primary schools, they’re the same as they were when I went to primary school 40 odd years ago. 

“The hours are the same as they are now but… most mothers didn’t work back then.” 

Between 2012 and 2022, Ireland’s birth rate dropped by 20%, according to the CSO, to an historic low of 1.7 children per woman.

Main image: Parents and children. Image via Canva