The pressures on parents ’ time
The pressures on parents ’ time
Less than a third
of parents have time for their hobbies
33 % of parents say household chores and caring responsibilities get in the way of spending time with their children
Parenting is one of the most important roles in society , but it ’ s also one of the toughest . There are so many competing priorities for parents to juggle , including household chores and caring responsibilities – one in three parents and 38 % of mums said these get in the way of spending time with their children .
For poorer families , the barriers are more financial and health-related . Parents with children eligible for free school meals are more likely to say that cost , their mental or physical health or their child ’ s physical or mental health stops them from enjoying family activities as much as they would like to compared with parents without a child eligible for free school meals , whilst a lack of time is a greater barrier for parents with higher incomes .
Fewer than four in ten parents think society values their role as a parent
For poorer parents the biggest barriers to family activities are cost , their own mental or physical health , chores , their child ’ s mental or physical health and work
“
[ My biggest challenge is ] making the most of the time I have with my child , and balancing that against everything else I need to do .
- Parent response
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