The Baby Website
MUM'S BUG BEARS
Dirty clothes dumped next to the washing basket, wet towels on the bathroom floor and toothpaste left in the sink are all mum's worst bug-bears, it was revealed yesterday (Mon).
Over-flowing bins, wee on the toilet seat and tissues left in pockets in the washing machine are also guaranteed to push mums' buttons.
The top ten list of bug-bears also includes leaving empty toilet roll holders, leaving the toilet seat up and finding empty cartons and boxes in the back of the cupboard or fridge.
The research, carried out among 3,000 mums for www.TheBabyWebsite.com, revealed the top 50 irritations they have to contend with on a daily basis.
Kathryn Crawford, of www.TheBabyWebsite.com, said: ''These irritations might seem small and insignificant to other people, but when mums find themselves doing absolutely everything for their families, the endless list of tasks soon starts to grate.
''Mums already have enough to do without cleaning up after dad and the children.
''It would make life so much easier, and the housework would get done so much faster, if other family members chipped in and tidied up after themselves.
''The fact of the matter is that many mums in the UK are taken completely for granted, and because of this they find themselves 'mothering' everyone who lives in the house, including dad.''
The survey showed 36 per cent of mums can't stand picking up the phone to find out they are on the end of an automated phone call.
A third said they hated to see crumbs in the butter and the same percentage were left fuming by shoes left in the hallway.
Dads came underfire for leaving a room and not turning off the lights, leaving curtains closed when they're the last out of bed and hair in the bath.
And men were also accused of shaving their hair or beards over the sink then leaving it there, dumping muddy shoes outside the back door and failing to wake up in the middle of the night when the kids start crying.
Children are also at fault - as mums hold them responsible for storing dirty cups and mugs in their bedroom and leaving toys scattered all over the floor.
Other bug-bears endured by mums daily included narrow shopping aisles, finding the toothpaste squeezed in the middle instead the end and lack of 'me time'.
The top 50 list of bug-bears also featured skinny jeans mums can't fit in to, low-waisted trousers which leave their tummy hanging over the top and school paperwork.
Kathryn Crawford added: ''This poll shows it isn't just household chores which annoy mums.
''There is nothing more maddening than making your way to the shops with the children happily strapped into the buggy, only to find there are two steps up into the shop and the aisles are too narrow to fit round.
''Similarly, shops which don't have lifts and escalators are a nightmare for mums - who either have to leave the buggy and other personal possessions in everyone's way while they shop upstairs, or ditch that particular shop altogether.
''And talking about being out and about - why do people think it is acceptable to touch and talk to a child who they don't even know?
''Mums understandably get really upset when their child is approached by a total stranger when out shopping.''
TOP 50 BUG BEARS
1. Dirty clothes dumped next to the washing basket
2. Toothpaste in the sink
3. Over-flowing bins
4. Wee on the toilet seat
5. Marks in the toilet
6. Tissue left in pockets
7. Empty toilet roll holders
8. Toilet seat left up
9. Empty cartons left in the fridge
10. Wet towels on the bathroom floor
11. Automated phone calls
12. Crumbs in the butter
13. Lack of time
14. Shoes lying in the hallway
15. Teabags left on the kitchen side
16. Washing up not done
17. Hairs in the bath
18. Muddy shoes
19. Lights left on
20. Curtains left closed
21. Dirty glasses and mugs in the bedrooms
22. Overflowing washing baskets
23. Crumbs on a newly vacuumed carpet
24. Lack of 'me time'
25. Shaving hair left in the sink
26. Not using a breadboard to cut a loaf
27. Unmade beds
28. Bunched-up socks in the wash
29. What to cook for dinner
30. Dirty kitchen worktops
31. Narrow shopping aisles
32. Partners who don't get up when baby cries
33. Chewing gum on the carpet
34. Wearing shoes in the house
35. Low-waisted trousers
36. Shops without lifts or escalators
37. Teabags in the sink
38. Strangers commenting on why your child is crying
39. Other mums telling you how to raise your child
40. Heavy doors
41. Shops with steps at the front door
42. Squeezing the toothpaste tube from the middle not the end
43. Narrow doorways which don't fit pushchairs through
44. Nursery fees
45. Toys on the floor
46. Putting a glass down without a coaster
47. Strangers touching and cooing over your child
48. Skinny jeans
49. Wonky rug
50. School paperwork
