Apparently, UK mums and dads will last just 17 days before they start feeling completely fed up of the summer holidays, with the average parent having to deal with 13 sibling fights, two dropped ice creams, six public tantrums, 15 early morning wakeups, two cancelled childcare emergencies and five long car journeys over the summer break.
A nationwide study found that UK mums and dads will last just 17 days before they start feeling completely fed up of the summer holidays, and one in five confess they find it the most STRESSFUL time of the year.
Despite nine in ten parents really looking forward to the summer holidays, the juggling of childcare and work can take its toll, with 15 percent even considering quitting their job for an easier break.
And a whopping 90 percent wish that their employers were more sympathetic to the plight of working parents during the summer break.
Yet while at home with the kids, the average parent will be driven to HIDE from their little ones, in a locked bathroom for example, at least six times over the holidays, just to get some peace and quiet.
The study, by Drayton Manor Park, also revealed the key challenges for parents over the summer holidays, with keeping the kids entertained (48 percent), youngsters saying they are bored the WHOLE time (40 percent) and trying to find activities that the entire family want to do (34 percent), all topping the list.
Other issues faced by mums and dads are sibling scraps (32 percent), constant bickering (30 percent) and attempting to limit screen time (28 percent). And 17 percent of parents experienced being shouted at by their kids when they do manage to pry them away from screens.
The research also found that over the annual break the average British parent will have to deal with 13 sibling fights, two dropped ice creams, six public tantrums, 15 early morning wakeups, two cancelled childcare emergencies and five long car journeys.
Grandparents will be called in to help six times, there will be five fights over sun cream and 10 times when parents will be so worn out, they cave in and let the kids have screen time.
And, with 16 percent of parents reporting that one of the biggest challenges is getting out of the house every morning, there will be seven days when nobody in the family actually manages to get dressed and everyone stays in their pyjamas.
There will also be at least seven times that parents looking after their kids will actually start to wish they were back at work.
The study also found that 36 percent of mum and dads say they feel guilty if they don’t have an activity planned every day, and a whopping 93 percent say they wish there were more fun things to do as a family during the summer months.
In fact, almost half (47 percent) said their number one priority over the holidays is to ensure their children have fun.
William Bryan, Managing Director at Drayton Manor Park, said: “For many, the summer holidays are the best time of the year, but we know all too well how difficult it can be to find things to keep the family entertained throughout the six-week break.
“Whether it’s finding the perfect activity for the whole family to enjoy, or trying to stop the kids from moaning about being bored – it seems the holidays can be a real challenge for parents trying to keep everyone happy, particularly after the little ones break up from school.
“That’s why we’re giving parents the opportunity to ‘save their summer’, with £500 cash and unlimited free entry to Drayton Manor Park, to keep young and old entertained throughout the holidays, with our ultimate summer of fun!”
Interestingly, the study found that 88 percent of Brits think they make a lot more effort than their own parents did when they were little, with 4 in ten saying they were sent outside every day and told to come back at tea time during the break.
And, despite the stresses and strains, 90 percent of British parents admit they really do look forward to the summer holidays, and three quarters say they are disappointed deep down when the kids go back to school.
Regionally, Nottingham is the city where parents will reach the end of their tether first (on the 4 August), while patient mums and dads in Belfast can hold on until the 12 August.
Off the back of the findings, Drayton Manor Park is giving bored families the chance to save their summer with £500 and FREE entry to the park for the ultimate summer of fun. To enter, families should visit draytonmanor.co.uk/competitions by 14 August, explaining in 100 words why they deserve the prize. A number of park passes and a hotel stay are also up for grabs. T&Cs apply.
