A Mamasta Select survey found that 71.4% of respondents had experienced the reality of the “badge-of-honor injuries” mothers sustain while raising children.
Mamasta Select, an information site, conducted an internet survey targeting mothers and daughters on “badge-of-honor injuries” during childrearing, including illnesses. The survey found that 71.4% of respondents had experienced them. The respondents were 367 people with children or who were pregnant, and the survey was conducted in August 2026.
Examples cited by respondents included fracturing a pinky finger while protecting a heavy chair lifted by a 2-year-old, fracturing the tailbone while preventing a fall down the stairs, and suffering burns while protecting a lantern during a barbecue. In each case, an action taken to protect a child ultimately led to an injury to the respondent. It has also been noted that everyday activities such as carrying children, playing and movements at bedtime carry hidden injury risks.
There were also many cases in which an illness was transmitted from a child to a parent and became severe. Reported examples included becoming unwell after contracting hand, foot and mouth disease or caring for a child with influenza. In some cases, parents became ill while continuing to provide care and were taken to hospital by ambulance.
The survey illustrates how injuries and illnesses sustained while protecting children can affect parents, and concludes that it is important to address injuries and poor health early rather than trying to endure them.