Unfortunately, many parents feel they know the answers to all of these questions but, the fact is most parents really don't. Even though we were once a child going through similar experiences, our childhood was much different from our own children's. According to recent studies, parents underestimate how much our children worry. They also underestimate how alone many children feel. Parents underestimate how often children are afraid to talk to them and express their true feelings.
Parents underestimate school stress and overestimate peer pressure.
Parenst underestimate how often children's fears are realistic. Parents underestimate how much of children's sadness is altruistic. What was concerning is the difference between child and parent. Taking a look at what parents think stresses their children, the discrepancy between their assumptions and children's realities was alarming. That performing well at school is less important to children than being popular or liked.