05 Sep Parents in Essex begin return to school countdown
- Thursday 18th August is the day most parents wish their children could return to school
- Study by shopping centre owner intu finds more than half of parents are running out of ideas to keep their children entertained
- intu Lakeside hosts free DC Super Hero activities until the end of the school holidays
Thursday 18th August was the day most parents wish their children could go back to school, a study by shopping centre owner intu has found.
A study of 2,000 parents across the UK commissioned by intu found that after three weeks and four days of bickering and ‘I’m bored’ comments from their children, Thursday 18 August was the day parents began to count down the days until September and the first day back at school.
Running out of money and ideas to entertain them, a lack of childcare and their house resembling a tip means six in ten parents reached a point where they’re wishing away the remainder of the summer holiday.
More than half even admitted that while they love the first few weeks at home with their children for the summer holidays, the novelty usually wears off weeks before they are due to return to school.
Ben Leeson, Marketing Manager at intu Lakeside, which has been hosting a Super Hero takeover which will run until the end of the school holidays, said: “We’re always looking for fun ways to keep families entertained for free, especially during the summer holidays, as they can be difficult to get through for parents and children alike.
“The summer holidays are a great chance for families to spend quality time together but it can be hard to make ideas and money last the entire six weeks, meaning children can end up bored and fed-up well before the end of the holiday.
“Getting out of the house is key to keeping everyone happy and not everything has to cost a fortune.
“There are still many fun and free activities and events taking place across the country which parents can take advantage of before the summer ends.”
The study revealed 59 per cent of parents reach a point, around four weeks into the six-week break, when they are looking forward to the kids returning to school.
Six in ten admitted they find the school holidays a stressful affair, with 15 per cent even going as far as to admit they don’t look forward to the summer holidays at all.
Children’s constant complaints about being bored was found to be the top reason parents start to look forward to the return of term time, followed by running out of money and ideas to keep them entertained.
Endless arguments, an untidy house and missing the normal routine also featured in the top ten list.
This summer intu Lakeside has been hosting a series of free family-friendly events and activities including plenty of Super Hero themed fun.
In partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman official costumed characters have made personal appearances at all intu centres, across the UK throughout the summer.
Marc Myers, General Manager, from intu Lakeside added: “Our aim is to put a smile on the face of all our customers so we’re excited to be coming to the rescue of families everywhere by bringing the world’s best known Super Heroes to Essex for free.
“We’re putting the superpowers of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman together to create fantastic activities, events and special costume character meet and greets that will make sure children leave our centre even more of a Super Hero than when they came in.”
Free activities for children have included face painting, dressing up as a Super Hero and taking part in a Super Hero academy. Children have even had the chance to take part in DC Super Hero missions of their own by tracking down Super-Villains like The Joker and The Penguin who have been hidden in each centre.
Top 10 reasons parents start to look forward to the return of school
- My children complain they are bored all of the time
- I run out of money to entertain them
- I run out of ideas of things to do
- My child/children start to argue all the time
- The house starts to look like a rubbish dump
- My child/children start missing their friends
- We all miss the normal routine
- The weather means many days are spent inside
- I’m just absolutely exhausted
- The whole family argues more
intu Lakeside’s DC Super Hero summer lasts until 2nd September. Visit www.intu.co.uk/superhero to find details of what’s on and opening hours.
