A significant portion of employed parents report missing crucial moments in their children's lives due to a lack of paid time off (PTO), according to a recent survey. Approximately 39% of parents have been unable to attend meaningful events because their PTO bank was depleted.
The survey, which polled 2,000 employed parents with children aged 0-10, revealed that unexpected sick days are a primary culprit. Nearly half of parents have missed important school events, with the majority of these instances occurring because they used their accrued PTO to care for a sick child.
On average, parents dedicate 41% of their total PTO to their children. With the average parent receiving only 11 PTO days annually, this leaves them with limited flexibility for other needs and desires, such as attending school functions. A substantial 87% of parents stated they intentionally save their PTO specifically for these types of moments, including extracurricular activities, spelling bees, and recitals.
The research, commissioned by Lysol and conducted by Talker Research, also highlighted parents' anxieties surrounding illness. Thirty-eight percent of parents expressed concern about the spread of germs in classrooms, and 36% identified unexpected illnesses as their top source of anxiety regarding PTO management. This is compounded by the fact that parents often develop a “sick sense” to anticipate when their child will fall ill.
Beyond sick days, parents also utilize PTO for school-related activities. Twenty-eight percent of parents look forward to creating new memories with their children, and 24% anticipate participating in extracurriculars. The survey found that the average parent still misses about four events with their child each year, ranging from recitals to field trips.
Parents expressed that watching their child grow and become more independent (41%) is a primary parental concern, followed by their child's academic success (39%) and social development (34%). The survey was conducted online between June 17 and June 25, 2026.