Kids Driving You Crazy? You’re Not Alone [POLL/AUDIO]

A new study finds a higher percentage of parents now, as opposed to years past, feel aggravated by their kids.

Data collected by the nonprofit group Child Trends shows in recent years 35 percent of parents said they were aggravated by their children, compared to just 20 percent in 1997.

So why is this happening?

"Today there are more single parents, and many families are struggling more to manage all the scheduling that happens with parents' jobs, and kids' schooling, and other activities," said Child Trends senior research scientist David Murphey.

He said the rise of social media could be another factor -- but more for the parents than for their kids.

"(They) feel they need to attend to any number of devices at the same time they're trying to be parents," Murphey said, "and they may even feel that they have to monitor their children's use of some of these devices."

Murphey said it doesn't help that we have so many connections these days.

"We're just constantly bombarded with images and stories that may create unrealistic expectations for parents, for trying to be the perfect parent," Murphey said.

To help lower aggravation levels, he recommends putting limits on all the electronic gadgets and gizmos, for both kids and parents.

"Parents should take a bit of time out every day for that one-on-one opportunity with their kids," Murphey added, "and the fact that more parents do feel aggravated suggests that they need to slow down, they need to take care of themselves and find some ways to reduce their own stress."