Survey shows, adult children usually favor mom over dad

BRYN MAWR, PA -- Mom rules again! A new national survey reveals if Mother's Day and Father's Day fell on the same day, and adult children had to choose to celebrate just one parent, 78% of adult children would choose to celebrate Mom over Dad. The national survey of 300 men and women was commissioned by Visiting Angels, one of our nation's largest in-home senior care companies with more than 500 offices throughout the country.

The men and women who chose Mom over Dad say it's because: 1.) Mom deserves the attention 2.) They have more in common with Mom 3.) It's the least they can do after Mom went through nine months of pregnancy and labor 4.) Mom is their favorite parent and 5.) Mother's Day seems to be a bigger holiday than Father's Day, and they feel obligated to celebrate Mom over Dad!

Mother's Day has become the third most celebrated U.S. holiday, right behind Christmas and Valentine's Day (based on the number of greeting cards given on each holiday, anyway). Yet with all the cards, flowers and fuss can come frustration to get it right for all the moms in our lives. The Visiting Angels survey reveals more than 1 in 4 surveyed (26%) say Mother's Day has caused stress, and nearly 1 in 4 (23%) say they have had conflict over Mother's Day plans. The majority of the conflict (57%) is about WHERE to spend Mother's Day (ie: their mom's house, their house, a restaurant, etc.).

One solution to Mother's Day stress is to be sure to let Mom know that you love her and care about her, whether you're together or miles apart. 83% say they plan to visit their mom on Mother's Day. But even so, more than half (60%) of adult children admit that they sometimes feel guilty about not spending enough time with Mom. So, for those adult children who can't be there to celebrate with Mom on Mother's Day, Visiting Angels wants to raise awareness that they can hire a caregiver to provide Mom with companionship, even if just for the day.

"It's no surprise the survey reveals adult children adore their moms and want to make a big deal for Mother's Day because they don't get as much time with their aging parents as they would like," said Larry Meigs, CEO of Visiting Angels, one of our nation's largest in home senior care companies. "On Mother's Day and every day, our caregivers go into seniors' homes to provide companionship, light housekeeping, meal preparation and transportation. When you can't be there for Mom, we're here to help."