AFTER six weeks of lazy mornings, it’s back to school with a bump this week. And a new survey has found that getting children ready for the day ahead is … well, difficult.
In results that won’t surprise a single parent in the land, nearly half of all those surveyed said they regularly argue with children in the mornings, while almost a third have been reduced to tears – a similar number feel anxious about the routine.
On average, parents get stressed over the school run twice a week, and more than one in 10 feel that way every day, while 45% of children have the same concerns.
Issues include children wanting to play, time keeping and teeth brushing.
The research, from name label manufacturer MyNametags.com, found that mothers in the South East are more likely to be negatively impacted than fathers.
This could be because mums take responsibility for the majority of the morning tasks, according to the results of the survey.
Mothers were responsible for making breakfast in 81% of the families researched, alongside ensuring their child has brushed their teeth (86%) and is in the correct school uniform (93%), packing school bags (79%) and PE kits (78%), and taking their child to school (82%).
Some parents in the South East are even considering taking extreme action to minimise the strain of the morning routine, with 19% admitting to being tempted to homeschool their child permanently to avoid it altogether.
Lars B Andersen, managing director of MyNametags.com, comments: “Our work is centred around making parents’ lives easier, so we’re always interested to explore the pressures facing modern families. I know first-hand how the school run can impact family dynamics, both positively and negatively.
“It’s saddening to see that so many families struggle with the pressure of the morning routine. Our research shows that parents are not alone in feeling stressed or overwhelmed – I can definitely relate to that and so can many other parents across the country.
“It’s also heartening to see that the precious time parents get to spend with their children during the journey to school is generally a positive experience, offering an opportunity for families to reconnect after a hectic start to the day.
“I hope the research brings comfort to parents across the UK and reminds them that, whatever their morning routine, we’re all in it together.”
