Family life revealed in survey

A poll of Leeds 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, families in the city are generally a happy bunch – with 57 per cent describing themselves as a “very happy family” and a further 39 per cent claiming to be “happy most of the time” – that’s despite a whopping 520 arguments and 577 bouts of tears in an average year.

On the bright side, every year families in Leeds share on average 1,846 hugs, 1,763 kisses, 1,154 fits of laughter and 598 bouts of dancing around the house – with nine in ten of those polled saying that family is the most important thing in their life.

The survey also showed how much time the city’s families spend together, with a total of 302 hours a year snuggled up on the sofa together, 265 hours watching movies – and a staggering 562 hours watching the telly. Unsurprisingly, given the amount of time we spend in front of the box families in Leeds will spend nine hours 58 minutes of every year hunting for the TV remote control.

When it comes to general family life, 72 per cent of parents polled in the city 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 families in Leeds, and the results are heartwarming.

“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.”

Leeds parents spend 166 hours (almost one week per year) ferrying children to and from clubs and parties, 385 hours (over two weeks) browsing social media and 16 hours waiting for the kettle to boil. A further eight hours will be spent searching high and low for the car keys and they will while away seven hours and 38 minutes waiting to use the bathroom.

Asked what change would most benefit their family life, some opted for practical improvements, with 57 per cent of Leeds respondents saying more money would be most beneficial, 34 per cent saying they needed a bigger house and 17 per cent saying they would love to have the luxury of a cleaner.

However, many of those polled plumped for more family-focused life changes, with three in ten saying in an ideal world they would have more quality time together and one in ten saying they’d like to work less. Thirteen per cent of respondents felt more away from gadgets and technology would be the most beneficial change for their family life.