The family that stays together plays together

Before launching our new class playground pump we did some research. And according to that research it seemed that many parents are too exhausted by modern life to find the energy to play with their children.

Take a look at our results and if it strikes a chord with you then have your say below...

Almost half (46%) of parents questioned said that the stresses of everyday life left them lacking any energy to play actively with their kids.

And on average, almost two thirds (64%) spend less than an hour each day in energetic activity with their child.

We carried out the research after finding an increasing number of our members were complaining about not having the energy to keep up with their children.

More than a quarter (26%) of the parents interviewed said they spent less than 20 minutes a day exercising with their children and just over half (51%) of those described their home life as "unhappy". But if parents can find time for play it could be worth it for the family life.

The report found that those who take part in physical activities with their under-10s sleep better, are less likely to feel stressed out and have better-behaved children.

"Parenting is an exhausting task at times," said Dr Nicky Ridgers, a researcher into children's activity and health from Liverpool John Moores University.

"The best solution is to find an activity that all of the family can enjoy and engage in together.

So what do you think? Have your say...

Comments

[Jeanette]

I think parents need to take more responsibility for ensuring their children exercise. I am sick of seeing kids in front of Playstations all day doing no exercise. It’s important to get out and spend quality time together’ it doesn’t take a report to work that out – it’s just common sense

[Suzanne Peterson]

I don't think I have ever actually taken my kids to anything particularly active. That's shocking on my part but there's not much that we would do together. I hadn't thought about bringing them to the gym but if there's something for them to get involved with it can't be a bad thing. These days they're not interested in girl guides!

[Marcus Greenacre]

I wouldn't do sport with my kids. They'd run rings around me.

[Patricia]

The best thing we ever bought was an all weather table tennis table for the back garden.We all had hours of fun playing together as well as friends of the children who enjoyed it as well. Our boys are in their twenties and still enjoy giving their dad a good thrashing!