More than a third of busy UK parents spend less than 10 minutes a day talking to their kids – due to hectic work and social schedules. A time-poor 38% are spending less than 10 minutes a day interacting with their children due to a jam-packed agenda of work, housework, school and extracurricular activities.
This equates to mums and dads missing out on more than 1,000 meaningful interactions with their offspring every single year, according to new research. A study of 1,000 parents of children aged between 3-11 revealed that more than two-thirds (69%) are missing out on one meaningful interaction every single day.
One-third (32%) confess to missing out on three or more key moments daily – including chatting about their days or playing together. These missed moments equate to 1,095 instances of missed hugs, laughs, chats and heart-to-hearts a year, according to research by beverage brand Horlicks.
One in ten parents (11%) admit they even missed key milestones including their child’s first steps and first day at school or nursery. One in five (22%) revealed they’ve missed their kids’ sports days.The main reason for missing these all-important moments with their children is work (68%), housework (52%), school (33%) and extra-curricular activities for either the kids (23%) or parents themselves (17%).
Rebekha White, Brand Manager of Horlicks, said: “Parents’ lives are hectic. The morning rush, work, pick up, after-school activities, tea, bedtime routines and everything else in between – it’s a full-time job, on top of a day job, for many.Spending just 10 minutes of one-on-one time with your children each day could be the answer to the meaningful interactions that parents admit to missing out on each day.
“It’s so simple, and it doesn’t have to be perfect, but it could mean so much not only to your children, but to you as well.”
Clinical psychologist and bestselling author Dr Martha Deiros Collado, agrees that spending 10 minutes a day with your child can have huge benefits. Dr Martha said: “In the busy juggle of parenting life it can seem that taking 10 minutes a day to spend with our children is a big ask.
“It’s not always possible to find a good ‘work-life’ balance but you can take small steps towards finding a family rhythm that brings connection, harmony and enjoyment to you all. Your child may forget the big days out, expensive gifts, and special occasions but they will never forget how you made them feel.
“When you embed 10 minutes of quality time as a family into the fabric of your every day it can over time become the memories and stories children hold onto when they grow up, and that they perhaps choose to carry on with their family one day.”
To help parents recapture those missed moments, Dr Martha has revealed five simple ideas to help get started:
TOP FIVE WAYS TO RECAPTURE MISSED FAMILY MOMENTS
1. Create family rituals across your week: “When you do things regularly in a predictable routine it can build anticipation and feel easier to do. This doesn’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming, it is about finding the small things that bring you all shared enjoyment. Some things that work for me and my family includes: Weekly game nights, Sunday roasts, Saturday night TV with a hot chocolates or nature walks.”
2. Unplug to connect: “Smartphones and screens can become barriers to meaningful family time. Consider creating phone-free zones in your home (e.g. at mealtimes and in bedrooms) so when you are together in these areas of your home all you have is face-to-face interaction.”
3. Prioritise the outdoors: “It can be hard over the winter months to get enough sunlight. Try and prioritise spending 10 minutes a day outdoors, be it walking, cycling, scooting, or kicking a ball together. As the weather gets warmer, why not have a picnic lunch outdoors at the weekend? Nature has a way of inspiring wonder and curiosity, which can help families bond and find pleasure in everyday moments.”
4. Schedule it: “The same way you schedule a work call or put important dates in the calendar, bookmark quality family time and make it a priority. Put an alert on your online calendar or write it up in your family planner. Whatever works for you, as long as you schedule it, you are more likely to make it happen.”
5. Make mealtimes quality time: “One of the simplest and most effective ways to ensure regular family time is by having meals together. Whether it’s breakfast, dinner, or a weekend roast, sitting down to eat as a family is an opportunity to connect, talk, and find some enjoyment. You can talk about each other’s day, play a word game (e.g. ‘name one rose, one thorn, and one bud of your day’ AKA: one good thing, one tricky thing, and one thing you look forward to for tomorrow) or share funny stories, focusing on each other more than the food you are eating is scientifically proven to help kids eat better and make the atmosphere at the table more enjoyable.”