Study shows that families argue more in the summer holidays and struggle to find things to do

As study of over 3,000 parents commissioned by Drayton Manor Theme Park near Tamworth in Staffordshire has revealed that the average family will endure 84 arguments over the summer holiday.

Not surprisingly, chief culprits for the arguments include boredom, behaviour and money, resulting the average family bickering twice a day...that's 14 times a week or 84 times over the six-week holiday. While the majority of arguments are between children in the family, more than one in five rows are between mum and dad.

Colin Bryan, Managing Director of Drayton Manor Theme Park, said: "The summer holidays are traditionally a fraught time for parents but it’s staggering to see exactly how many arguments will happen over the six weeks. But it’s hardly surprising when you think how much time parents have to spend entertaining their children. And the traditional British weather often doesn’t help with rain keeping children trapped indoors and getting in each other’s way, instead of playing outside. However, by planning a timetable of activities for the holiday period to keep the children occupied, this could go a long way to stopping the arguments between the family members.’’

Other findings of the survey include:

- Over half of parents argue more over the summer holidays than at any other time of the year
- 80 per cent say their family is more likely to bicker when they kids are bored with nothing to do
- Over 75% say rows escalate if the kids are stuck indoors on a rainy day with nothing to do
- 2.38pm is the most common time for rows, with each argument lasting an average of 7.19 minutes
- Over 25% of parents dread the start of the summer holidays and
- Half of parents find themselves counting down the days to the start of the new school term
- A similar number admitted they are relieved once the new school term starts.

It will come as no surprise that 70% of parents struggle to keep the kids entertained during the summer holidays and three quarters struggle for new things to do to keep the children entertained.

Mr Bryan added: “Planning quality time for the family will help stop unnecessary arguments and give the children something to occupy their time, even getting them excited as they will have something positive to look forward to. Just organising a simple day out, whether its to a park, visiting family and friends or having a fun day out at a theme park, will provide not only an escape for the day but also gives a memorable experience that can be talked and laughed about throughout the holidays.

Naturally places like Drayton Manor offer a great day out and provide fun and excitement for the whole family...and of course if you're a regular of IdeasForTheKids, with over 12,000 child friendly venues and attractions around the UK, you should have no excuse for running out of ideas for things to do!

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