NEWS RELEASE

Each year, the average British family will have 452 arguments, kiss each other 1,492 times, watch 489 hours of TV, spend almost 14 hours waiting for the kettle to boil – and order 60 takeaways, according to a new study.

A nationwide poll of 2,000 British families with children living at home by Virgin Money Life Insurance has revealed some fascinating insights into the highs and lows of the average household.

According to the report, we are generally a happy bunch – with 62 percent describing themselves as a “very happy family” and a further 36 percent claiming to be “happy most of the time” – that’s despite a whopping 452 arguments and 515 bouts of tears in an average year.

On the bright side, every year we share on average 1,435 hugs, 1,492 kisses, 972 fits of laughter and 489 bouts of dancing around the house – with close to nine in 10 of those polled saying that family is the most important thing in their life.

The survey also showed how much time British families spend together, with a total of 301 hours a year snuggled up on the sofa together, 265 hours watching movies – and a staggering 489 hours watching the telly.

Unsurprisingly, given the amount of time we spend in front of the box – Brits will spend eight hours and 24 minutes of every year hunting for the TV remote control.

When it comes to general family life, two thirds of parents polled said they simply couldn’t manage without the help and support of their partner, while a further three in ten said they couldn’t cope without the support of their mum.

Jayne Warner, Head of Life Insurance at Virgin Money, said: “Our study took an in-depth look at the lifestyle habits of modern British families, and the results are heart warming.

“We all lead such busy lives – with parents in particular having to carefully balance the demands of working life with the daily challenges that come with running a family home. Despite this, the research shows families still make time to love, laugh and have fun together.

“These survey findings also reflect how much we depend on each other to keep family life running smoothly. We’re struck by how hard it would be for many families to cope without the support of their partner and/or their wider family.

“It emphasises how crucial it is to ensure that we have plans in place to keep family life going no matter what life throws at us.”

Asked what change would most benefit their family life, some opted for practical improvements, with 53 percent of those studied saying more money would be most beneficial, 27 percent saying they needed a bigger house and 14 percent saying they would love to have the luxury of a cleaner.

However, many of those polled plumped for more family-focused life changes, with four in ten saying in an ideal world they would have more quality time together and 17 percent saying they’d like to work less. Seven percent of respondents felt more time with grandparents would be the most beneficial change for their family life.

When it comes to food consumed, the survey revealed we will each tuck into a whopping 66 roast dinners a year, order 60 takeaways and eat 102 plates of pasta.
The research also found that we will make our way through 60 boxes of teabags, drink 220 pints of milk and chomp 116 loaves of bread, the equivalent of 2,320 slices of toast.

The adults in the family will also consume 65 bottles of wine each year.

171 hours (over one week per year) is spent ferrying children to and from clubs and parties, we’ll spend 317 hours on social media and 13 hours and 48 minutes waiting for the kettle to boil.

A further SIX hours will be spent searching high and low for the car keys and we will while away seven hours waiting to use the bathroom – with mums emerging as the worst culprits for bathroom hogging.

THE AVERAGE FAMILY IN A YEAR (IN NUMBERS)

Arguments 452
Slammed doors 432
Bouts of tears 520
Hugs 1,435
Kisses 1,492
Fits of laughter 972
Bouts of dancing around the kitchen table 489
Saying ‘I love you’ 1,036
Roast dinners eaten 66
Take-aways ordered 60
Hours of TV watched 489
Hours of homework 166
Hours watching movies 265
Hours on social media 317
Hours snuggling on the sofa 301
Hours of washing-up 208
Hours ferrying children to parties, clubs 171
Boxes of cereal consumed 72
Loaves of bread eaten 116
Boxes of teabags (80 bags) used 60
Tubs of butter / margarine eaten 60
Bottles of ketchup used 48
Pints of milk drunk 220
Bottles of wine drunk 65
Hours spent searching for the remote control 8 hours and 24 minutes
Hours spent searching for car keys 6 hours
Hours spent waiting for the kettle to boil 13 hours and 48 minutes
Hours spent waiting for the bathroom 7 hours

ENDS

Contact harriet@gingercomms.com for more details