The summer holidays get increasingly difficult as they go on, new research has found, with more than 20% of parents already ready for their little ones to head back to school
Nearly a quarter of British parents are already counting down the days until their children go back to school, new research has found.
With weeks of the summer holidays remaining, 22% of mums and dads admit they are looking forward to the return of the classroom and the family routine.
A similar number say the holidays become harder as they go on (21%), while 21 % find the long break more stressful than relaxing.
Last Saturday (August 1) was identified as the point at which parents officially reach summer holiday breaking point, as juggling work, childcare, rising costs and constant demands for entertainment takes its toll.
Children complain they are “bored” and ask to do something or go somewhere at least eight times every day, leading to almost three daily arguments.
A study of 2,001 parents for NEC Birmingham found more than one in three (38%) secretly dread the summer holidays before they begin.
Parents spend more than five hours every week searching for ways to keep the family occupied, but many still struggle to fill the break.
Mondays are the toughest individual day, while patience begins to wear thin at around 1.36pm. Money adds to the strain, with almost four in ten parents (38 per cent) spending more than expected and households coughing up an average of £912 on days out, food, travel, activities and childcare.
Seeing other families’ seemingly perfect plans leaves 38% feeling under pressure, while 26% feel frustrated and 18% exhausted.
However, it is not all doom and gloom, with three in ten parents (30%) saying they enjoy having more time with their children.
In response to parental burnout, NEC Birmingham has launched its Save Our Summer campaign, encouraging families to reclaim the remaining weeks of the holidays.
Helen Marriott, Marketing Director at the NEC in Birmingham, said: “The summer holidays should be a chance for families to spend quality time together, but our findings show how quickly the pressure to fill every day can become exhausting.
“Parents are balancing work, childcare and rising costs, while facing constant demands to keep the whole family entertained.
“Our Save Our Summer campaign is about taking some of that pressure away by helping families discover exciting experiences they can enjoy together without having to spend hours searching for ideas.”
To find out more about what is taking place at the NEC this summer, visit thenec.co.uk.