Shockingly, the average UK family spend only 49 minutes a day together.
New research indicates that children seem to have a better idea of what parenting should be about than their actual parents and highlights the short amount of time families actually spend together.
National Family Week commissioned a poll exploring current perceptions of both parents and children and issues facing modern family life in the UK. 3000 parents and 1000 children in the UK were surveyed as part of the build up to National Family Week (31st May to 5th June) with fascinating results.
 The average family spends 49 minutes a day together, barely enough time to share a meal and worryingly, the majority of parents are happy with the amount of time they spend with their family, as are children
The biggest issue facing parents when it comes to spending quality time is money with 68% citing it as a barrier to spending time with family but kids disagree that time with family has to break the bank with 66% happy to spend time with family at home rather than going out.
Days out and family holidays were perceived as the best examples of quality time by parents, whilst more cost-effective alternatives like engaging in sports and reading together fell by the wayside.
Children cite boredom as the hardest thing about spending time with family.
More than half of parents feel they spend enough time with family.
Only 14% of parents would introduce more flexible working arrangements if the could
Only 8% of children want their parents to work less
What children think are important aspects of parenting differ greatly from what parents think
Parents are underestimating the important of being a role model to children who place this as the greatest priority
Boys and girls show huge differences when it comes to expectations of parents
Facebook more important to children than sport and has a bigger influence over them than school, siblings, celebrities and even their grandparents
Only 3% of parents think making a healthy meal is one of their important roles
Children are actually more committed to traditional family values than their parents
May 2010
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Second Child Treated Differently To First Child
