12 Feb What Parents Are Googling Right Now (And Why We’re All Doing It)
If you’re anything like me, parenting (and pregnancy) has a habit of sending you down some very specific Google rabbit holes, writes Susie Williams
From sleep and behaviour to screens and pregnancy worries, parents’ search histories offer a revealing snapshot of what’s really weighing on families so far this year.
Over the years, I’ve searched everything from “Do I really have to tell work I’m pregnant?” to “Is it normal to crave pickles and chips at the same time?”
And if 2026 has taught us anything so far, it’s that parents are still doing exactly the same thing — just with a few new worries sprinkled in.
Sleep, again. Always sleep.
Some things never change. Questions about sleep continue to dominate search histories, whether it’s:
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“Why has my baby stopped sleeping?”
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“Is my toddler getting enough sleep?”
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“Is it normal for my child to wake up tired?”
What’s different this year is the exhaustion layer. Many parents are juggling work pressures, rising costs, and kids who seem permanently overtired — which makes every night wake-up feel heavier than it used to.
The reassuring news? Sleep disruptions are still a normal part of childhood development. The less comforting news? Google can’t fix it at 2am — but you’re not doing anything “wrong” either.
Behaviour worries (and the fear you’re the only one)
Another big cluster of searches revolves around behaviour:
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“Is my child’s behaviour normal?”
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“Why is my child suddenly so angry?”
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“Am I a bad parent if I lose my patience?”
There’s a noticeable rise in parents questioning themselves, not just their kids. After years of mixed messages about “gentle parenting”, boundaries, and screen use, many parents are searching for reassurance that they haven’t broken their child — or permanently scarred them with one bad day.
The reality? Big feelings, testing limits and emotional outbursts are still part of growing brains learning how to cope with the world.
Screens, school and social pressure
Unsurprisingly, screens are still causing plenty of late-night scrolling:
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“How much screen time is too much?”
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“Is YouTube bad for kids?”
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“Should I ban screens during school term?”
With schools back, routines returning, and ongoing conversations about online safety, parents are trying to strike a balance between being realistic and being protective — often without a clear rulebook.
What’s coming through strongly this year is less guilt about using screens, and more concern about how they’re used. Parents aren’t searching for perfection — they’re searching for sanity.
Pregnancy questions never get less weird
Pregnancy Google remains its own unique genre. Alongside the serious searches, there’s still plenty of wonderfully specific anxiety:
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“Is this cramp normal?”
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“Can stress hurt my baby?”
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“Why do I hate foods I loved last week?”
If nothing else, it’s reassuring to know that every generation of parents before us has typed the same strange questions into a search bar — just without autofill.
What all these searches really tell us
Strip away the keywords and what parents are actually Googling is this:
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Am I doing okay?
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Is my child okay?
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Should I be worried about this?
Google gives quick answers, but it also amplifies anxiety — especially when the loudest results are dramatic or extreme.
Sometimes the most helpful reminder is the simplest one: parenting has always been uncertain, children have always changed faster than we can keep up with, and reassurance often comes from perspective, not perfection.
So if your search history looks a little unhinged right now, you’re in very good company. Put the phone down, finish your tea (or reheat it), and remember — Googling doesn’t mean you’re panicking. It usually just means you care.
Experts reality check
Child health and parenting experts agree: most of the things parents Google fall well within the wide range of “normal”. Children’s sleep, behaviour and emotions fluctuate as they grow — often in bursts — and there’s rarely a single right answer. If concerns persist or feel overwhelming, trusted professionals can help, but a late-night Google search usually reflects care, not crisis.
