With weeks of the summer holidays still remaining, 22% of British parents say they are already looking forward to their children going back to school. A similar number (21%) admit the holidays become harder as they go on, while 21% find the long break more stressful than relaxing.
Breaking point reached
August 1 has been identified as the date when parents typically 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 a day, leading to almost three daily arguments.
The findings come from a study of 2,001 parents carried out for NEC Birmingham. More than one in three (38%) secretly dread the summer holidays before they even begin, and parents spend more than five hours a week searching for ways to keep the family occupied — yet many still struggle to fill the break.
Cost and pressure
Mondays are the toughest day, with patience running thin at around 1.36pm. Money adds to the strain: 38% of parents spend more than expected, with households paying out 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% feel exhausted. However, three in ten parents (30%) say they enjoy having more time with their children.
Save Our Summer campaign
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."
More information about events at the NEC this summer is available on its website.
