The typical family spends just six hours-a-week together as long working hours and digital devices keep them apart.
A study of 2,000 mums and dads, with children at home, found their work shifts are the top cause of hindering family time (56 per cent), as well as homework (29 per cent) and social media use (20 per cent).
Almost a third (31 per cent) also blame their lack of time together on the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.
And a quarter claimed communication within households hasn’t been the same since the economic climate changed.
This comes despite 35 per cent having spent more time at home as a unit in the past 12 months due to the cost-of-living crisis 42 per cent admitted they’re usually all in different rooms.
More than a third (34 per cent) have also experienced increased emotional strain in light of the economy.
As a result, the typical week sees families spend six hours all together – less than an hour a day – and only eat a meal as a household four days out of seven.
A fifth (21 per cent) claim to have had more group meals prior to the cost-of-living crisis and other barriers to dining more often are after school clubs (26 per cent), different dishes (31 per cent) and varying mealtimes (34 per cent).
Enjoying the simple moments
The research was commissioned by McCain, to mark the launch of its ‘Teatime to
Talk’ cards, a collection of conversation starters.
The digital cards have been developed in partnership with British child psychologist, Laverne Antrobus, to help families connect during mealtimes, improve imagination and problem solving skills.
Further factors which have hampered quality time were household chores (27 per cent), TV use (21 per cent) and after school clubs (19 per cent).
When families are at home together, 37 per cent don’t set aside specific time
