Moms Reveal Key Lessons And Surprising Challenges In New Survey Ahead Of Mother’s Day

For most mothers, parenting brings both profound challenges and equally profound rewards. According to a new survey, 93% of moms with children ages 1 to 6 say being a mother is both the hardest and most rewarding thing theyve ever done.

The survey of 2,000 mothers, conducted by Talker Research on behalf of Sunsweet Growers Inc. ahead of Mothers Day, revealed that while motherhood brings joy, it also comes with plenty of unexpected trials.

When asked what advice they would give themselves if they could go back to the earliest days of parenthood, many moms shared simple yet poignant thoughts: “Be brave,” “be patient,” and reminders that “the kids need a happy mom, not a perfect one.” Others noted that they wish they had realized sooner that “your baby loves you unconditionally and you are doing great,” and that “it is going to be okay, and the lack of sleep will be worth it.”

One mom shared, “Give yourself grace — perfection isnt the goal. Ask for help, sleep when you can and know this chaos is love in its purest form.”

The survey highlighted how difficult it is to fully prepare for parenthood, with nine in 10 moms agreeing that no one is ever completely ready for the experience. About a third of moms said they were unprepared for feelings of isolation (35%) and the difficulty in maintaining healthy habits for themselves (33%).

Mealtime habits often shift significantly after becoming a parent. Moms reported that roughly a third of their diet comes from food intended for their child — with 16% consisting of leftovers and 17% from snacks purchased for their child.

Despite the challenges, moms remain focused on teaching healthy habits. Ninety-one percent said they aim to establish good habits early. They are encouraging their kids by introducing them to different foods (61%), encouraging outdoor play (58%), instilling a love of learning (58%), teaching about emotions (55%), promoting healthy diets (54%), and limiting sugar and treats (50%).

“Starting healthy habits at a young age creates a routine that when your body feels good, everything else feels good, too,” said Sunsweets CJ McClellan, Vice President of Marketing, North America. “We hear often that eating well — for example, including veggies and fruits like prunes and prune juice in diets — began at childhood, and we appreciate seeing this lesson instilled in the next generation too.” 

Moms also reported offering their children healthy snack options (57%), keeping favorite healthy snacks available (47%), and making nutritious choices fun (43%).

According to the survey, many moms lead by example. Sixty-three percent said they often enjoy the same snacks as their children to help reinforce healthy habits.

When selecting snacks for their children, mothers look for products that include important nutrients such as fiber, potassium and vitamin K (21%), are easy to prepare (18%), and feature clean labels without artificial sweeteners or colors (17%). Digestive health is also a top priority, with 79% of moms seeking foods that support it.

Juice preferences reflect similar priorities. While most kids drink juice, 78% of moms prefer 100% juice options, 38% look for juices without artificial flavors, and 17% seek juices with functional benefits like digestive support.

“Research shows that both kids and adults dont consume enough fiber, yet only 21% of moms are looking for these nutrients in their snacks,” said McClellan. “Prunes and prune juice are perfect for moms and families who are looking for sweet and tasty options that offer so many benefits.”