Drayton Manor
LONG HOT SUMMER
The average family will endure 84 arguments over the summer holidays, a study revealed yesterday (Weds).
Parental bust-ups over money, how to occupy bored youngsters and fall-outs between the kids themselves means the average family bickers twice every day.
That works out as 14 rows each week - or 84 over the six-week holiday.
But while the majority of arguments are between the children in the family, more than one in five involve mum and dad.
Colin Bryan, Managing Director at Drayton Manor Theme Park, which commissioned the study, 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.''
The study of 3,000 parents also revealed more than half of parents argue more with their family over the summer holidays than at any other time of the year.
And 80 per cent said their family was more likely to bicker when they kids are bored with nothing to do.
More than three quarters reckon rows escalate if the kids are stuck indoors on a rainy day with nothing to do.
Four in ten parents have even tried to keep their kids apart to stop the fall-outs.
The study also discovered 2.38pm is the most common time for rows, with each argument lasting an average of 7.19 minutes each.
And incredibly 27 per cent of parents said they 'dread the start' of the summer holidays.
Half even find themselves counting down the days to the start of the new school term.
One in two admitted felling relieved once the new school term starts in September.
It also emerged most of the rows are down to boredom with 70 per cent of parents struggling to keep the kids entertained.
Three quarters found themselves struggling for new things to do to keep the children entertained.
Almost one in five even admitted they probably don't do enough to keep their youngsters occupied each day.
Colin 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.''
