British parents spend almost nine days a year putting children to bed, poll claims

Bedtime routine takes respondents on average 34 minutes every night

It takes respondents to poll on average 34 minutes to put child to bed every night (Getty Images)

British parents spend nearly nine days a year trying to put their children to bed and get them to sleep, according to a new survey.

On average, it took those polled 34 minutes to get their children ready for bed — which works out at almost four hours every week.

The survey, which included 1,000 parents of children aged between three and 10 years old, found 83 per cent of respondents go back to check if their child has gone to sleep after they have left the room.

Children make up an average of three excuses every night to avoid going to bed, including claiming they are scared of the dark, feel ill or need the toilet, according to the poll.

More than half of those asked said they had found their child playing with toys when they should be asleep, compared to 28 per cent of children who have been caught playing on a tablet.

More than 20 per cent had also been found watching TV instead of sleeping.

The poll, which was commissioned by Compare the Market, also found 28 per cent of children will complain it is too light outside to sleep.

It claimed the typical bedtime routine will consist of brushing teeth, a bath and reading stories — as well as finding favourite toys before going to bed around 7:50pm.

As many as seven in 10 children sleep with a toy or comforter of some kind, and more than two-thirds said their youngster will struggle to sleep without it, according to the survey conducted by OnePoll.

Julie Daniels, the head of rewards for Compare the Market added: “Even if it’s a struggle to get them to bed, there’s usually something that will convince them to go to sleep or sooth them enough that they get drowsy and give up.

“Toys and blankets never seem to fail in this respect — they offer that reassurance and when it’s time for you to leave the room and take the cuddle with you, they offer that sense of safety.”

SWNS