Average family goes on only one outing a month, survey claims
Hectic work schedules, after school clubs and a lack of money prevent families from going on more outings, according to poll
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Your support makes all the difference.Families are spending less "quality time" time together due to hectic work schedules, after school clubs and a lack of money, a survey claims.
The poll of 2,000 parents found the majority of parents would like more opportunity to relax and bond with their children, and over two thirds wish their family were able to go on more day trips together.
The majority of parents surveyed said on average they only go on one family outing a month.
The research was conducted by Family Fund, a UK charity providing grants for families on low incomes raising disabled or seriously ill children and young people.
CEO Cheryl Ward said: “This research shows many families are struggling to find time together and how things such as work and accessibility of places are getting in the way of day trips.
“Parents want their children to enjoy days out and create memorable moments, with four in five agreeing that family days out greatly improve their children’s happiness, but 7 in 10 are struggling with the costs, citing it as the top factor in their decision-making process.''
Four in 10 of those surveyed said they believe having more than one child impacts the number of family outings they go on. This is because they say it is more difficult to find an activity suitable for all ages.
Almost half of the parents surveyed said they believe leisure time and breaks are important for their child’s development, and one third see it as an opportunity to get away from chores such as homework and housework.
The survey found that an average family trip costs costs £66.63, but one in 10 found it can cost up to £100.
Over 50 per cent of those polled said they tend to go to the beach on family outings, while 44 per cent opt for the countryside. And one third said they typically take their family to a theme park or animal park.
Over half of those polled said they believe previous generations had more time for family day trips.
Ms Ward added: “As a charity that provides grants for things like day trips to families with disabled children on low incomes, we know how important a day out can be and we’re receiving more requests for support for breaks and days out than anything else.
“There’s a whole extra layer of planning for children with complex needs, such as showing an autistic child pictures of where they’re going days in advance so they can prepare for being somewhere new, or researching a wheelchair-accessible venue with changing facilities for an older child who needs them.
“Given the fact it’s around three times more expensive to raise a disabled child compared with other children, we’re concerned that families on low incomes are really missing out.
“All families deserve a break and to see their children enjoying themselves – but just one day out a month feels like precious little time to unwind, reconnect and have fun.”
Family Fund provided a grant for a day out for Marie Crutchley, 37, a mother of two from Staffordshire, whose 12-year-old son Ethan has Spina Bifida, Autism, ADHD and significant learning disabilities.
The family are on a low income, with Ethan’s dad Mark, 47, leaving work in order to care for his son full time, while Marie juggles being mother and a midwife.
Marie said: “We only manage 3-4 days out a year and cost is the single biggest reason for that.
“We’ve had a pretty tough year and Ethan’s condition can make things hard for my younger son, Sam, at times as he has a lot to put up with, so a day out is a really important treat for him as well.”
Days out are hard for disabled children like Ethan, with the impact of new places, noisy crowds and big queues making the whole event potentially stressful and upsetting.
One of the worst episodes the family experienced was at a fireworks display when a man swore at Ethan because he was making noises and jumping around. Marie described it as "devastating".
However, speaking about a recent trip to a theme park the family were able to take, Marie said: “With a bit of support, Ethan managed to go on about six or seven rides, including with his brother, which was amazing.
"My husband was watching the three of us on a teacup type ride, and he said we were all laughing our heads off.
“When we got home from the theme park, bearing in mind Ethan was too nervous to even get in the car that morning, he said ‘that was a really good day’. That just means everything to me.”
SWNS
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