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British parents spend less than 30 minutes of quality time with their children every day, research reveals

Parents have less than half an hour of quality time with their children a day, research reveals [Photo: Getty]
Parents have less than half an hour of quality time with their children a day, research reveals [Photo: Getty]

British parents spend less than 30 minutes of quality time with their children every day, new research reveals.

A recent poll, commissioned by Panini Adrenalyn XL, found that fathers struggle the most to connect with their kids as only half of dads think they spend enough one-on-one time with their daughters.

In comparison, 55% of mothers think they get enough quality time with their mini-me’s.

But it’s teenagers that parents struggle to strike up a relationship with the most, as 37% of parents admitted that the ages 13 to 17 are the hardest.

READ MORE: Lack of sleep 'more harmful than social media use' for teenage mental health

Even when adults try to spend quality time with their offspring, 37% find it tough to get a conversation of their child as more than a third of kids prefer to spend time in their bedroom.

More than a third of teenagers prefer to spend time in their bedroom [Photo: Getty]
More than a third of teenagers prefer to spend time in their bedroom [Photo: Getty]

In fact, 42% of youngsters would rather binge television shows than hang out with their parents while a further 39% prefer video games over their time together.

As a result, parents can only manage half an hour of quality time with their kids in comparison to the 75 minutes children spend communicating with their friends over technology.

READ MORE: Having children will make you happier - but only when they move out

Though finding the time to bond is down to the parents’ schedules too, as four in 10 work long hours while their kids are kept busy with extra-curricular activities.

As a consequence, 86% of parents treasure every second spent with their children.

A recent study found that children-parent relationships significantly improve when kids eventually move out of the family home.

The new research, conducted by Heidelberg University in Germany, discovered that parents with children who have flown the nest tend to be happier, as “stress associated with balancing the competing demands of childcare, work and personal life decreases”.

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