Illinois’ Stressed-Out Parents Are Googling These Questions Most

As we head into the 2024 holiday season that kicks off in November, there will be more family gatherings and dinners, more going out, more decorating, more shopping and wrapping, and just plain more family time. That's great, unless you can't enjoy any of it because you're a stressed-out parent.

Since becoming a parent myself, I've found it strange whenever I hear about someone in a floundering relationship that thinks having a baby will somehow bring them and their significant other closer and also bring harmony to the home.

I've found that the most stressful time in a marriage is right after the first child is born. You're tired, stretched thin, confused, and at times, highly irritable. You've got lots of questions, too.

For the current generation of Illinois parents, Google is the most popular and available place to get those questions answered.

Questions, Questions, We've All Got Questions--Especially New Parents

The first time I remember desperately wanting an answer to a parenting question was when I was changing my infant son's diaper. Removal of the old and full diaper went smoothly, but before I could replace the diaper, my son cut loose with a blast of pee...directly into my face.

Not just a little. At the time, it seemed like enough to put out a barn fire. My question, at that moment was shouted out: "How do I keep my kid from peeing on me during diaper changes??"

If I'd had access to Google, I would have typed it instead of bellowing it at the top of my lungs. By the way, if you want to know the answer, just Google it. You'll have to learn just like I did.

If Google Had Been Available When My Kids Were Very Young, I Would Have Asked About All Sorts Of Things Online Instead Of Rolling The Dice By Asking My Own Parents

VocoVision.com, a leader in teletherapy services, analyzed Google search data to uncover the most popular parenting questions that each state searches, and looking at some of the queries, I think we should all feel better about the things we would ask.

For example, it appears that parents in the state of Texas are very concerned about why their kids are eating boogers. Parents in Louisiana want to know "why won't my kid be quiet," and Montana parents are eager to know "how to put a kid to sleep in 40 seconds."

What Kind Of Parenting Questions Are We Asking In Illinois And Our Neighboring States?

I would love to tell you that we're asking dumb, goofy, or even weird parenting questions of Google, but we're really not.

The single-most Googled question from Illinois parents is a good, solid one: "How do I teach my kid to ride a bike?"

• In Wisconsin, it's "Why does my toddler wake up crying?"
• In Iowa, it's "How do I get a toddler to stop hitting?"
• Indiana wants to know "How many teeth do kids have?"
• Missouri parents are after the answer to "Does my kid have ADHD?"
• For Michigan parents, the top question is "Why is my kid so mean?"

Click here to read VocoVision.com's full piece on the most-Googled parenting questions from every state.