Family in car
Many Brits are going on holiday this year and a new survey has found the things that annoy us most on a long journey in the car.
Car Supermarket.com took parents with children aged eight years and under and found which parts of being in the car for hours on end were the most stressful.
- Ten things were unanimous among the parents as adding to the stress of being in the car, the first being bathroom stops (19%) that children asked for during a journey.
- 17% said that their children asking constant questions, such as ‘are we there yet?’ was more aggravating.
- Those with more than one child found that arguments between siblings caused a lot of grief along the way, (16%).
- Many said that despite occupying themselves the noise from the things keeping them quiet was the most annoying thing in the car, such as from DVDs and CDs, 14%.
- The constant need for food upset the balance in some car journeys as 11% said that their children needed sustenance all the way to their destination.
- When getting to their holiday destination, parents were finding marks left by crayons and felt tips, which added to their stress levels even when beginning their getaway, 9%.
- Many parents worried about their children being absorbed by an I phone or an I pad for the duration of the journey (8%).
- Even if not asking ridiculous questions constant talking form their children caused a lot of grief to 3% of parents.
- Only 2% reported that their children were ill on the trip.
- 10. One per cent of parents are annoyed by the inclusion of traditional car games such as I Spy.
One mother said:
“During a long car journey, the last thing we want is to stop off at every single service station to go to the loo. The ride is hard enough, without adding an extra hour to it.”
A Dad who took part in the survey added:
“I think it must be the boredom but our kids are constantly eating and making a mess in the car with food wrappers and crumbs on the back seat. Not to mention the sugar rush it gives them after one too many sweets, but at least it keeps them quiet for a bit.”
One mum said:
“A hot and boring car ride can breed all sorts of arguments; it is bad enough when Mum and Dad argue about which direction to take, but when the kids join in it really is intolerable.”
A spokesman from Car Supermaket.com said:
“We all know how stressful long car journeys can be, particularly with young children. Our survey shows just how much modern life can both help and hinder parents during time on the road.
“On the one hand technology such as phones, tablet computers and DVD players can be used to keep children quiet, but on the other hand it seems they can also become sources of irritation.”