Family Wellbeing Begins with Parents

When people become parents, they often feel their identity shift as they center their life around their child’s needs. Similarly, family services often focus on the wellbeing of the child, with supports for parents as secondary. Given this, it’s no surprise that most parents often feel unsupported and alone. According to a U.S. Surgeon General advisory issued in 2024, roughly 65% of parents and over 75% of single parents report loneliness.  

When parents struggle, so do their children. Research shows that children of parents with poor mental health are twice as likely to develop mental, behavioral, or developmental disorders. When parents have the social and emotional support they need, they are more resilient – they get better sleep, are more hopeful, and report better mental and physical health – helping them show up for themselves and their children in healthier ways. 

At FamilyWise we lift up the experiences of parents so that they are seen and heard and understood. We create spaces for parents to come together to talk through challenges and share resources. Last month FamilyWise hosted a convening of parents and systems leaders to foster dialogue around co-creating systems that support families (read the recap here). Next month FamilyWise will publish our 4th annual Family Wellbeing Index, a report that examines indicators of family wellbeing from housing to healthcare to social supports. Through statewide data and stories from parents and family service providers, the report advocates for more support for all parents to address high rates of stress and mental health conditions among caregivers.  

As Child Abuse Prevention Month approaches in April, we encourage a shift in thinking that prioritizes the needs of parents. As the U.S. Surgeon General asserts, “We must recognize the importance of parenting and reflect it in how we prioritize resources, design policy, shape work environments, and approach our conversations with parents.” 

Read more about the ways that you can help support parents in our 2025 Family Wellbeing Index, set to be released on Monday, April 7th. In the meantime, read the full advisory from the U.S. Surgeon General and learn more about what FamilyWise is doing for Child Abuse Prevention Month.