2/1/2013
Parents with children under age six spend an average of two hours each day providing primary childcare, which is defined as childcare that is done as a main activity, such as reading to them, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Parents with children under age six spend more time providing primary childcare on weekdays (2.1 hours) than on the weekend (1.8 hours).
Parents with children under age six spend an average of 5.5 hours per day providing secondary childcare, with is taking care of children while multitasking. The most common secondary activities are leisure activities (2.2 hours) and household chores (1.3 hours). Moms with children under age six spend nearly twice as much time per day providing physical care, such as bathing and feeding, as parents with children ages 6-17 (1.1 hours vs. 26 minutes).
Parents with children ages 6-17 in the household spend 47 minutes per day primarily taking care of them.
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Division of Information and Marketing Services, 2 Massachusetts Ave., NW, #2850, Washington, DC 20212; 202-691-6339; atusinfo@bls.gov; www.bls.gov/tus.
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