Four in five parents believe lockdown has helped their family bond, poll claims

Meanwhile nine out 10 parents say they have even more respect for teachers after attempting home-schooling

A family exercises in the bank holiday sunshine on Clifton Down, Bristol, in their outdoor time during the UK COVID-19 (PA)

A poll of 2,000 parents found the extra time at home, without the distraction of school and extra-curricular activities, gives mothers, fathers and children more of an opportunity to bond.

Just under two-thirds, 62 per cent, also believe the crisis has made their children more ‘community-minded’, with 53 per cent going out of their way to help friends and neighbours.

The most common job is picking up groceries for vulnerable people at 73 per cent, and 53 per cent have collected vital medication for frail neighbours.

And more than half of those polled have phoned someone in isolation to provide mental health support.

Siobhan Freegard, founder of ChannelMum.com, which commissioned the research, said: “Being forced to halt our busy lives and spend time together in quarantine has made many of us consider what’s really important, like children, parents and the community they are part of.

“Despite the dreadful toll the pandemic is taking, people are becoming more thankful for the small pleasures in life.

“Coronavirus may well see us emerge [as] a kinder community and more thankful for the things we enjoy in life.”

The study found half of all families are spending more time playing traditional games and puzzles, while three-in-10 are reading more books together.

And 28 per cent have taken up gardening as a family activity.

By contrast, only one-third are allowing kids to watch more TV, while just a quarter have relaxed rules on screen time on tablets, phones or gaming consoles.

However, after homeschooling children for the last month, parents also admitted to having a new-found respect for teachers.

In fact, a whopping nine-in-10 parents polled say their opinion of educators is now even higher after having the kids at home.

The survey, via Mumpoll, also revealed quarantine is impacting UK couples - for the better.

At the start of the lockdown, fewer than half of couples thought it would bring them closer, but almost four weeks in, six-in-10 report feeling happier with their other half.

Despite many couples being stuck at home with children, a quarter of couples report having sex more often.

One-in-five have doubled the amount of romps they usually enjoy, with 21 per cent of these managing to jump between the sheets every day.

However, 60 per cent say they only have time for a ‘quickie’ to fit romance around family commitments.

Siobhan Freegard added: “It seems that many couples are using the extra time together to get ‘Lockdown and Dirty.’

“It’s certainly a great way to relieve stress and keep relationships alive in this difficult time – if you can get the privacy.”

SWNS