Most Parents Agree Kids Have It Better Today but Would Still Choose Their Childhood

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By Jo Anne Hubert , Parent Herald Dec 21, 06:59 pm

A recent poll reveals that 64 percent of American parents would bring themselves back to their childhoods if time travel were possible.

Two in three parents, or 67 percent, admit that their children's childhoods have been much better than theirs for different reasons. Sixty-five percent said that their kids have more opportunities in life these days, 57 percent believe they have more access to technology, and 56 percent said that their kids are given more affection than they had before, Study Finds reported.

However, as they reflect on their youth, 83 percent would not change growing up in the era they were born in, as almost a similar percentage (81%) think that it is harder to grow up in the current generation as theirs.

What parents miss about their childhood

Two thousand parents of U.S. children between five and 18 were gathered for the recent poll and asked them to reflect on their own childhoods.

The survey conducted by Mini Brands Disney and OnePoll found that 75 percent of parents still find the time to reminisce about their youth. In fact, 90 percent have shared their childhood stories with their kids.

When asked what they miss most about their childhood, 67 percent said they do not have responsibilities, and 57 percent said they are stress-free.

Fifty-three percent miss their childhood friends, and 52 percent miss having their family gatherings and celebrating the holidays.

Moreover, the top three activities that bring them back to their childhood are watching their favorite childhood movies and TV shows, getting together for the holidays, and hearing sounds like ice cream truck jingles.

What toys do parents choose for their kids

When it comes to the Christmas holidays, 70 percent express that they "feel nostalgic" when the winter holidays start rolling around.

Parents shared that their favorite moments of the season are the mornings during the holidays because they witness their kids play with their toys, watch holiday movies together as a family, make brunch, and stay in bed.

For this year's holidays, 74 percent plan to give their kids clothes, 55 percent toys, and 52 percent electronic devices.

With toys being a popular gift item for kids, 61 percent admitted that their kids have better toys than they did when they were little. However, four in five parents prefer to buy their kids the toys they play with during their childhood days.

"We see the trend for nostalgia in toys to be more important than ever before. Parents are choosing toys for their kids that either they resonate with and remember playing with as kids, or want to find something that kids and parents can enjoy together," Mini Disney Brands' marketing manager, Robbie Mercer, said in a statement, as New York Post quoted.

In conclusion, 76 percent of parents see their kids as the mini-version of themselves, yet most of them, 93 percent, express that these little ones make them better people.