September 06, 2024

Survey Reveals Top Parenting Styles: Team, Room, Venmo

Parent Resources

Parents step up for their kids in countless ways. Some thrive on organizing team parties, others shine in the classroom, and many keep things running with well-timed financial support. Each method has its perks, but which one really makes a difference?

We dug into the data to find out. Our survey of over 1,000 American parents reveals surprising insights about how different types of involvement impact kids' success, both in school and beyond. Whether you're the go-to event planner or the behind-the-scenes supporter, keep reading to discover how parents tackle the challenges of today's busy childhood activities.

Key Takeaways

Nearly 50% of parents feel overwhelmed by their involvement with their children's schooling and sports.
57% of parents are “Venmo Parents,” choosing to contribute money for school or sports activities instead of attending events.
Millennials (58%) are most likely to be Venmo parents.
1 in 20 parents spend more than 10 hours involved with their children's classrooms and sports teams each week.

How Many Hours Do Parents Spend on School and Sports?

Ever wonder how much time parents spend on their kids' school and sports activities? Balancing it all can be a juggling act for many. Let's take a closer look at just how much time parents are investing and how it affects them.

More dads (65%) than moms (54%) report spending at least 3 hours per week on their children's school and sports activities.
The percentage of employed parents spending 0-2 hours per week on their children's activities varied by work location:
On-site (44%)
Remote (38%)
Hybrid (36%)
Parents with hybrid jobs spend slightly more time on their children's activities, with 20% dedicating at least 6 hours per week, compared to 17% of both remote and onsite workers.
Nearly 50% of parents feel overwhelmed by their involvement with their children's schooling and sports, with women (49%) slightly more likely to feel so than men (45%).
Parents working fully remotely (53%) are more likely to feel overwhelmed by their commitments to their child's activities than those working hybrid (51%) or on-site (43%). Those working on-site likely felt less overwhelmed because they dedicated less time.

Team Parent vs. Room Parent vs. Venmo Parent: Which Style Takes the Lead?

Parents support their kids in different ways, but which style comes out on top as the most popular? We crunched the numbers to see how these different parenting styles stack up.

Demographics of the Venmo Parent

Millennials (58%) are most likely to be Venmo parents.
61% of dads call themselves Venmo parents, compared to 54% of moms.
57% of working parents identify as a Venmo parent.
55% of parents working in tech identify as Venmo parents.

Positive Effects of Parent Involvement

Percentage of parents reporting good academic performance by their children, by involvement type:
Room parent (92%)
Venmo parent (89%)
Team parent (89%)
Uninvolved parent (69%)
Percentage of parents reporting positive changes in relationships with their children by involvement type:
Team parent (64%)
Venmo parent (38%)
Room parent (57%)
Uninvolved parent (8%)
52% of parents are interested in resources or support to help manage their time and contributions more effectively.

Top Factors Influencing Parental Involvement

Desire to be actively involved in their child's life (53%)
Limited time due to other commitments (28%)
Preference for contributing financially rather than volunteering (11%)
Lack of interest or motivation (3%)

Methodology

We surveyed 1,024 American parents about their involvement with their children's school and sports. Among them, 2% were baby boomers, 30% were Gen X, 66% were millennials, and 2% were Gen Z. Additionally, 82% of parents were employed, 12% were homemakers, and the rest were unemployed, retired, or students. Also, 17% of our respondents worked in tech.

About Prodigy Education

Prodigy Education is a global leader in game-based learning. Our mission is to help every student in the world love learning, motivating millions worldwide via fun, secure and accessible curriculum-aligned gameplay experiences. At Prodigy Education, we believe maximizing student motivation helps develop a lifetime love of learning. Prodigy's approach to fun, game-based learning means kids no longer have to choose between homework and playtime. Visit www.prodigygame.com to learn more.

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