Everyday tasks take longer for adults that have children, says poll

Even just getting out of the front door can be a task and shopping is often something parents dread having to do with children'

Packing for a holiday takes 36 minutes longer for people with children (istock)

Having children means everyday tasks take up to twice as long, a survey has found.

A poll of 2,000 Britons found getting ready and leaving the house in the morning takes 45 minutes for people with a child, compared to just 22 minutes for childless adults.

The more children in the household, the longer it takes, as an average breakfast takes 24 minutes for those with three children but just 18 minutes for one child families.

Doing the food shop will take 30 minutes longer with the children in tow, while shopping for clothes and shoes will also need an extra half an hour than if you were on your own.

Packing for a holiday or trip away, cleaning the house and meal times are also among the daily tasks which will take longer once you have children.

“I think all parents out there will agree that having kids is really rewarding," said Simon Wilson, head of buying at shoe retailer Deichmann Shoes, which commissioned the poll. "But simple tasks that you didn’t even think about before – such as shopping – suddenly become a mission worthy of planning with military precision.

“What used to take you a few minutes can now suddenly take up a huge chunk of your day. Even just getting out of the front door can be a task and shopping is often something parents dread having to do with children."

The poll found 67 per cent of respondents admitted they had no idea how much longer it would take to do everyday tasks once they had children.

The survey results revealed that almost all of their days were spent completing tasks, with the average mum and dad getting less than two hours of spare time a day. But those without children will enjoy more than three hours to themselves.

As a result, 35 per cent of respondents admitted they missed the pre-child days when they could get everyday tasks done in less time. Nearly half had had to ask someone to babysit for a few hours so they could complete some jobs without the children in tow.

When asked what they would most like to do if they had a moment with no children to worry about, 30 per cent said “sleep”. A quarter would read a good book while 29 per cent would thoroughly clean their house.

One in five would use it as an excuse to catch up on some television.

South West News Service