The survey, which polled more than 1,000 UK parents aged between 25-75 years, found the cautious drive home from the maternity ward with a new family member was the single most memorable car journey for more than a quarter (27 per cent) of all parents. Second was the anxious drive to the hospital for the birth; the most vivid memory for almost one in five (18 per cent).
Parenting on Female First
Both male and female respondents voted the drive home from the hospital as their number one driving memory, though perhaps unsurprisingly over a quarter (27 per cent) of fathers admitted the fraught task of safely navigating their partner to the hospital, in time for the birth of the child, was the more memorable. Only eight per cent of mothers thought the same.
For one in seven parents, the first family holiday was the most treasured car journey. Third overall in the list of ‘most memorable drives’, it was voted number one by respondents aged 45-54.
The inaugural school run also proved a trigger for parental nostalgia. One in six mums found the emotional experience of dropping their child off for the first day of school as their most unforgettable journey. Moving the child out of home into University or their first house was also a significant emotive drive for seven per cent of mums, but only two per cent of dads.
The survey also found three per cent of parents had very individual ‘most memorable drives’ that included taking children to sporting competitions; picking up a newly adopted child or driving the family home safely following a weather related incident. A bad snowstorm and a 360o skid on ice during the school run were two examples cited.
Marc Raven, Communications Director at Citroën UK said; “The family car is an important touch point to some of our most treasured life experiences. Families come in all shapes and sizes, and go through so many individual experiences, but the results of this survey show just how much in common parents have with each other and the significant role the family vehicle plays in our lives.”
Most memorable drives
1. Driving your new family home from the hospital following the birth of your child
2. Driving your partner to the hospital for the birth of your child
3. Setting off on your first family holiday
4. Taking your child to their first day of school (Infant, Junior or Secondary)
5. Driving your family to pick up the first family pet
6. Taking your child to their first sleepover (e.g. Grandparents, friends, Brownies or Scouts)
7. Moving your child out of home to University or their first home
8. Taking your child to the church/venue on their wedding day
9. Taking your child out for their first driving lesson
10. Other
11. Driving your child to their first date
FemaleFirst @FemaleFirst_UK
Shabana Adam