Working parents spend thousands on treats for kids

Working parents spend on average £1,278 a year on days out, presents and treats to make up for a lack of quality time with their children, according to a poll.

Working parents spend on average £1,278 a year on days out, presents and treats to make up for a lack of quality time with their children, according to a poll.

The poll by Greens cake mix company found that on average working parents spend two hours a day with their children, although 38 per cent only have seven hours a week with their children.

Half thought they didn’t spend enough quality time with their offspring and 43 per cent said they could only do so at the weekend. However, 55 per cent thought that dads spent more time with their families than they would have done 10 years ago.

Some 30 per cent of parents said time pressures were the biggest barrier to spending quality time with their children, with a quarter blaming longer working hours.

Child psychologists say parents could be trying to make up for lack of time by spending more on their children to show their love, but they add that children have no idea of the value of things so parents do not have to spend a lot.

Emma Calder, Brand Manager at Green’s, says: "With the average British person working more than 40 hours a week it is no wonder that parents struggle to find time to relax and have fun with their children. However, it is important to remember that spending quality time together does not have to involve taking huge chunks out of your day – or cost the earth."

• Vote  
• 0
• 0
• You already voted!

• Tags:
• Lifestyle Work life balance