It can be hard to find time to yourself in the summer break
New research has found that four in ten mums are dreading the school summer holidays. Difficulties juggling work and childcare and having to entertain their kids for six weeks means millions of mums aren’t looking forward to the break from school.
Mums worry about the months of July and August in particular because they have to rely on friends and family to look after their children and face packed local attractions on days out, the study from Hobbycraft revealed.
Other concerns include having to return to a mounting workload after taking time off with children and bad weather meaning kids are stuck in the house all day.
“For those in charge, creative play is an enjoyable and rewarding way to spend time with children….and the results are almost guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face."
Catriona Marshall, CEO of Hobbycraft, said: “For most children, the summer holidays are the best part of the year, six weeks without school or homework!
“For parents, grandparents and child minders it can be a challenge to keep them occupied, especially in rainy weather.
“Not only does it mean they have to find six weeks’ worth of childcare or take time off work, but they also have to find various ways to keep their children happy and entertained for the entire break,” she added.
School summer holidays prove to be a re-occurring issue for working mums as half of the 2,000 working mums polled even admitted to reaching a point after three weeks and three days where they actually start looking forward to their children returning to school.
The study also revealed that 40 per cent are dreading the start of the school holidays, with the extra childcare and juggling it around work named as the biggest issue for 48 per cent of mums.
More than a third even said they still haven’t got childcare arranged for the full six weeks, despite the start of the holiday being just days away, and 17 per cent hate the fact they’ll eventually have to call on friends and relatives to look after their children so they can continue going to work.
Researchers also found the majority of mums plan a family holiday to keep their kids entertained for part of the week, whilst trips to the cinema or swimming pool, days out and stocking up on arts and crafts activities are other ways parents keep their children amused.
Catriona added: “For those in charge, creative play is an enjoyable and rewarding way to spend time with children….and the results are almost guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face.
“Adults beware that it can be both nostalgic and contagious. Before you know it, you’ll be absorbed in your own project and transported back to your own childhood!”
Researchers also found that 42 per cent of mums think the school summer holidays are too long, with 47 per cent of mums admitting they find it difficult to find things for their children to do.
Three quarters regret that they are too busy with work to spend time with their children, with 73 per cent saying they feel really guilty about their forced priorities.
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