Most Parents Failed This Parenting Quiz. Will You?

Congratulations! You, as a parent, have one of the hardest jobs on the planet. It's your job to help shape a tiny human into a competent, kindhearted adult. This is one of the most important journeys that we can be a part of during our lifetime. It doesn't always come easy. From temper tantrums as toddlers to sneaking out as teenagers, children give us a run for our money. For at least 18 years, we'll have plenty of sleepless nights worrying about our children and if we're raising them properly. There are so many different approaches to parenting that it can be overwhelming to figure out what kind of parent we'll all be.

Luckily, some things just come naturally. We all have strengths and weaknesses, as parents and as people. Some of us are sterner, while others are better at being confidants. We may raise our children like our parents raised us, or we may take a completely opposite approach. There are some things that all parents should know—and need to know—while parenting children, though. Some of these may seem like common sense, but to others, it may be brand-new information. Do you think you can pass our parenting quiz? See if you're an all-star parent or not with this quiz!

Question 1

What is it that seems "off" to most parents about baby's first few poops?

Bringing home a newborn baby from the hospital can be downright terrifying. After you’ve spent months preparing, they're finally here, and now, you have to navigate life with them and for them. After a car ride home—in which you'll cringe at every bump—you finally make it home. Baby gets to sleep for hours on end. When baby wakes up, you realize that he or she needs a diaper change. Looking at the diaper, something seems off about the bowel movement. Why is that?

Question 2

When should a little one’s teeth start being brushed?

As baby gets older, it becomes clear how quickly they'll grow. Every day, babies develop more and more. They start learning just as much, so long as people are interacting with him or her throughout the day. There are a lot of milestones to be met. Teeth start popping in, and panic starts to ensue. Surely, they're too young for dentists, so taking care of their teeth is necessary. When should a little one’s teeth start being brushed?

Question 3

What should you do when your baby's crying?

Babies cry a lot. Parents don't always know the reason for their child’s tears, which can be a huge source of frustration for parents. Sometimes babies are hungry, tired, uncomfortable, or even bored. This can make stopping the sobs a lengthy process. Parents try for hours to make sure their baby is content, only to have them start crying again shortly after. There are many methods to handle baby’s tears. What should you do when your baby's crying?

Question 4

At or around what age should your little one say his or her first word?

Baby babble is a lot of fun. The different sounds that babies can make can be enough to keep any grown person entertained for hours. It's even better when baby starts trying to make the sounds of the grownups around him or her. Before you know it, that little babbler will be saying his or her very first word. Whether it's "mama," "dada," or "doggie"—any word counts. At, or around, what age should your little one say his or her first word?

Question 5

When should your child take his or her first steps?

With babies growing more and more every day, it's no surprise that they're up and running before we know it. After time spent helping them figure out how to hold their head up and to crawl, the big event finally arrives. Babies' first steps are often something that parents look forward to and dread simultaneously. Like every major milestone, there's a time frame when this is expected to happen. When should your child take his or her first steps?

Question 6

What's the latest age at which your child should be potty trained?

Potty training is a difficult concept. After a lifetime of using diapers, children now have to understand that the porcelain throne is where they'll have to go to do their business. Not only will they now have to stop what they're doing, but they'll also have to learn how to clean up after. Many children are intimidated by the potty, especially because it makes a loud sound when it's flushed. It's a necessary evil, though. What's the latest age at which your child should be potty trained?

Question 7

What's the proper way for a child to travel in a car seat during the winter?

Traveling with children can require more thought and effort than it did when parents were able to travel by themselves. Kids come with their own needs for items to bring while traveling and may require more planning. Traveling in the winter can be even more of a challenge, as you have to bear the cold in order to get to your destination. Winter can also present challenges in terms of putting children in car seats. What's the proper way for a child to travel in a car seat during the winter?

Question 8

When can a child travel in a car without a booster seat?

Car seats can be a hassle for everyone involved. Children start to get antsy and feel too restrained by sitting in them. The parents have to remember to switch the seat from car to car if they only have one seat. The same goes for booster seats. The criteria for who needs a booster seat has gotten stricter over the years, as accidents have shown the benefits of a car seat. When can a child travel in a car without a booster seat?

Question 9

What kind of words should children be able to read by the end of kindergarten?

The first day of kindergarten tends to be an emotional day for parents, especially if this is the first child who they're sending off to school. Kindergarten is a time of great learning and fun for children while also helping them adapt to elementary school. More and more schools are switching to full-day kindergarten instead of half-day kindergarten. For many children, this is when reading really starts. What kind of words should children be able to read by the end of kindergarten?

Question 10

What's the life skill that first graders start to learn?

Math and science start getting emphasized in first grade. While reading and writing are constantly evolving, this is the first time that many children are experiencing different forms of numbers. This is when real life starts coming into the classroom, and the lessons are able to be reinforced at home during everyday life. It's often a difficult skill for children to start to grasp, but they understand it when they can apply it to life. What's the life skill that first graders start to learn?

Question 11

After the lice are removed, when can the child go back to school?

With school comes the risk of illness. Children don't always understand great hygiene, which makes the passing of germs from child to child inevitable. Not all ailments are like the flu or a cold. Something that spreads like wildfire through schools is lice. Once lice are found in children’s hair, these children aren't allowed back in school until all of the lice and nits have been removed. After the lice are removed, when can the child go back to school?

Question 12

On average, what's the youngest age for girls and boys, respectively, to start experiencing puberty?

As the elementary-school years end and middle-school years begin, a whole new challenge presents itself to parents. Puberty is one of the most difficult and confusing times in children’s lives. Hormones are running rampant, bodies are changing, and faces are breaking out. It adds stress to the parents as well, as they look for ways to explain what's happening to their children’s body. On average, what's the youngest age for girls and boys, respectively, to start experiencing puberty?

Question 13

Which of the following parenting styles did they say was likely to lead to problem children?

There are all different types of parenting styles. Parenting styles tend to revolve around both the plan of discipline and how perceptive the parents are to their children’s needs. Some families are very strict, some are very lax, and others can be somewhere in the middle. A study done by the Journal of Adolescence showed which parenting style led to children that behaved badly. Which of the following parenting styles did they say was likely to lead to problem children?

Question 14

What does the acronym "STEM" stand for?

More schools are starting to embrace new programs to help children succeed in different fields that they didn’t excel in before. Young girls and students of color are being targeted for this program. It goes by the acronym "STEM." This program can help them find a high-paying career path in the future and introduces the skills that they need early on in life. Most of these career paths don't have many women or other minorities in them. What does the acronym "STEM" stand for?

Question 15

Which of the following isn't one of the organizations that provide these services?

For parents who cannot get their children to and from school, there are now programs offered by many cities and towns that will pick up and entertain the children. These organizations offer babysitting, help with homework, and a lot of physical activity to allow the children to get some energy out. These programs are a great way to build a sense of community among the children. Which of the following isn't one of the organizations that provide these services?

Question 16

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, what's the earliest time that teens should be starting school?

As children get a little older, they're expected to get to school earlier and earlier. In most of the country, elementary school starts at the latest time, while high school starts the earliest. Teenagers tend to stay up later at night due to homework, extracurricular activities, or part-time jobs. These children should be getting up to nine-and-a-half hours of sleep per day. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, what's the earliest time that teens should be starting school?

Question 17

If your child is exhibiting signs of a concussion after trauma to/near the head, what should be done?

Your children may decide that they want to play sports. Sports are a great way to teach children about teamwork, all while keeping them physically active. Their teammates can be their best friends. There will be frequent practices and games. With sport, comes the risk of injury. Concussions are now an issue that's being focused on in most high schools across the country. If your child is exhibiting signs of a concussion after trauma to/near the head, what should be done?

Question 18

When do experts recommend students take the SATs initially?

The SATs are a stressful time for high-school students. Some colleges require certain results on the SATs in order to be accepted into their school. The SATs require a fair amount of preparation. There are books and after-school courses that are designated to help students succeed on these exams. While it's never too early to prepare, it's recommended that students wait until a specific time to take the SATs for the first time. When do experts recommend students take the SATs initially?

Question 19

There are other optional tests that students can take in different SAT subjects, but what subjects are a part of the general SATs?

The general SAT test is required by most colleges in order to get in. Some states even require that their high-school students take the SATs, regardless of whether or not they intend to go to college. Even though students can take the test multiple times to improve their scores, they have to know what to study in order to succeed. There are other optional tests that students can take in different SAT subjects, but what subjects are a part of the general SATs?

Question 20

When's the ideal time to tour colleges?

Realizing that your child is already about to head off to college can be overwhelming for everyone. It's a bittersweet moment that you all have been working toward since the child was born. High school is when children start to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Before they apply to colleges, it's recommended that the family tours the school to see if it's a good fit for the student. When's the ideal time to tour colleges?

Question 21

When's the average deadline for early-acceptance applications?

After all of the touring and soul-searching, your child is now ready to apply to school. You've all researched the criteria for each school together, making sure that all of the proper documents have been obtained and tests have been taken. Applications generally require a form that gets filled out, as well as a personal essay. A lot of families want to find out if their kids have been accepted as soon as possible. When's the average deadline for early-acceptance applications?

Question 22

According to Parenting, how much can diapers cost a family per year?

Babies and children poop a lot. They also wet themselves a lot and get into things that they shouldn't get into. This can require frequent diaper changes until the child is potty trained. Diaper sizes change quickly as the child gets older. Many parents have to make a middle-of-the-night run to go buy more diapers, forgetting that they used the last one during the previous changing. For these paper-like garments, it can get pretty pricey. According to Parenting, how much can diapers cost a family per year?

Question 23

According to doctors from the American Academy of Pediatrics for Parenting, what's the ideal age to turn your child around from being rear-facing?

Newborn babies are supposed to be rear-facing when riding in a car. Car manuals are sure to state that no child in a rear-facing car seat should be in the front seat. Children are said to be safer in this position, as it better protects their spine and head from impact than a normal car seat—or no car seat—would. According to doctors from the American Academy of Pediatrics for Parenting, what's the ideal age to turn your child around from being rear-facing?

Question 24

As per BabyCenter, what's the estimated average monthly cost of preschool?

Many children in today’s world go to preschool. Some go for socialization, others go to help kick-start their learning, and some have to go in order to have someone to watch them during the day while mom and dad are at work. Some preschools provide the bare minimum, while others provide meals and field trips for the children. Preschool can be a great way to introduce children to the world of education that they'll be in for years to come. As per BabyCenter, what's the estimated average monthly cost of preschool?

Question 25

Which of the following is the order of amounts a plate should have, from least to greatest?, according to "MyPlate"?

While most of us learned about the food pyramid in school, children are now learning about something called “MyPlate.” This is a new way of teaching nutrition to children in a way that they'll understand it. It's important for parents to fully understand how much of everything their child should be eating in order to be healthy. Which of the following is the order of amounts a plate should have, from least to greatest?

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