Nearly half of parents find car journeys with children stressful, poll claims

Toilet breaks, complaints of boredom and arguing siblings cited among top reasons

(Getty)

Nearly half of parents admit they find car journeys stressful due to factors such as siblings arguing, children needing the toilet and forgotten items adding 29 hours to journeys ever year.

A study of 2,000 parents found more than one-third had been stressed by their children complaining of boredom.

And three in 10 found toilet breaks an annoying aspect of driving with young children.

As a result, an additional 33 minutes were added to weekly journeys, leading to late arrivals and delayed departures because they had to stop for comfort breaks, as well as missed turnings and leaving things behind.

The research, commissioned by cinch, also found siblings fighting, mess in the back seats and children’s constant need for attention also featured as some of the biggest stress triggers for parents.

Because of this, seven in 10 admitted they don’t always enjoy car journeys, but parents agreed some minor modifications — such as a bigger boot, more leg room and in-car wifi — could help alleviate this stress for them.

Parenting psychologist Emma Kenny offered some advice on surviving car journeys with children, said: “Whilst car journeys can be considered stressful, this research shows the amazing opportunity that they present for families to have uninterrupted opportunities to spend time together.

“Travelling side by side has been proven to be an effective communications strategy as it puts those talking at ease and lowers performance pressure, which can occur when speaking face-to-face.

“The car can provide a great opportunity for families to connect with one another and bond, especially on longer journeys — so make the most of the time together.”

In a bid to ease the worries of long journeys, nine in 10 respondents said they let their kids do things in the car they wouldn’t normally when at home, including having additional screen time and letting them eat more treats.

Almost half of parents have let their children take control of the music during a car journey, despite 14 per cent admitting that doing so can make the trips more hectic.

As a result, parents have spent more than one-quarter of car journeys listening to their children’s songs, nursery rhymes and toys playing jingles in the back seat.

The survey also polled the children themselves to find what they find frustrating about car journeys, with one-third saying they didn’t like sitting next to siblings while 57 per cent said journeys often feel “too long”.

More than one-quarter of children got fed up of listening to their parent’s music, and three in 10 got tired of boring conversations in the car on journeys.

The poll, conducted via OnePoll, also found what kids would like in order to improve car journeys, which included more room in the back, unlimited YouTube videos and a ban on siblings in the car.​

However, nine in 10 children admitted they do enjoy car journeys albeit not all of the time.

A spokesperson for Cinch added: “Cinch may not be able to install an unlimited sweet dispenser in the back of a car, or help you fly over traffic, but we know how important finding the right car is for family lives.

“Our research shows that parents and kids often have the same gripes, and a factor like more leg room can transform long car journeys for the better.”

SWNS