Sky-high childcare prices trapping determined new mother and father at residence, research reveals
A new study reveals 93 per cent of new parents rarely get a night out with partners, with 43 per cent blaming to sky-high childcare costs for being stuck at home
The cost of childcare is the single biggest barrier stopping new parents having a night out(Image: Getty)
The cost of childcare is the single biggest barrier stopping new parents having a night out, new research shows. A massive 96 per cent of British mums and dads with young kids admit just one night on the tiles a month would massively boost their happiness.
But a nationwide study of 1,000 new parents has found that 93 per cent now rarely get any quality time alone with their partner, with 43 per cent blaming sky-high childcare costs for being trapped at home.
The study, commissioned by nappy brand Rascals, also revealed that even when parents do manage to escape for an evening, they can’t stop worrying.
More than 41 per cent confessed they spend their night out stressing about how their kids are coping without them.
For many, getting a trusted babysitter is nearly impossible. More than one in five UK parents (22 per cent) don’t have local family members they can rely on for free childcare.
Meanwhile, 32 per cent say better access to trusted childcare is the only thing that would get them out of the house more often.
And it turns out that preventing a “poo-nami” is top of the priority list before heading out the door. More than six in 10 parents (62 per cent) say that making sure their baby is wearing a reliable nappy is essential before they can even think about leaving them with a sitter.
To help exhausted parents get some well-deserved respite, Rascals has launched a new “Date Night Sponsors” scheme, giving away 50 complimentary date nights across Britain.
Each freebie package is worth over £100 and includes, a delivery of Rascals premium nappies, £60 credit for babysitting via the trusted nationwide service, Bubble, and a £35 voucher to spend on a meal, cinema trip, or a night at Flight Club.
Will Harvey, director of marketing at Rascals and a dad-of-two, said: “No one really prepares you for how hard it is to get time together once you’ve got young kids, and date nights are the first thing that goes.
“We make a nappy that holds for 12 hours, so the least we can do is help parents actually use those 12 hours for something other than laundry.
“When you become a parent, life gets real, really fast, so we hope this small gesture offers some respite to what is both a magical and chaotic time.”
Parents can apply to win a date night package via the Rascals Facebook page.
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