17 August 2023 , 08:31
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Parents will spend almost £200 per child getting their youngsters ready for a new school year, a study has found.
A survey of 1,200 parents, of 5-16-year-olds, revealed that 58% admit they underestimate the amount of effort involved in getting their kids back-to-school ready.
And a quarter say preparing for a new term is even more stressful than preparing for Christmas – with the same number saying the most dreaded task is buying new school shoes.
Perhaps as a result, this is one of the tasks parents will prioritise first, with 56% saying it is important that kids have time to “break in” their new footwear before term starts in September.
Other prep mums and dads will look to tick off sooner rather than later include buying new school uniforms – but getting school-ready haircuts is one of the things likely to be left until last, along with buying stationery and organising their workstations.
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It also emerged that those polled feel they need to start as early as tomorrow (August 18th), in order to make sure they get everything done on time.
And 45% believe that once they finally drop the kids off at the school gates in a few weeks, they will feel an overwhelming sense of relief.
Some of their first priorities are shopping for new school uniforms and school shoes (Dymo Lifestyle)The research was commissioned by label-maker DYMO, whose spokesman said: “Organisation is key to getting the kids back to school – but with so much to fit in, it can become a very stressful time for parents.
“However, our research shows that despite the pressure parents face, they are plotting their return with an almost military-style precision. They know what they have to get out of the way first – and also what can wait until last.”
The research also found that 54% admit it is always a rush to fit everything in come the end of August – with 23% getting stressed about re-establishing routines, such as bedtimes and mealtimes.
Mums and dads estimate they will spend an average of £189 on each child, getting them ready for the new school term – however, 55% are worried not everything they buy will last the entire year, due to items getting lost, broken, or ripped.
As a result, seven in ten (69%) will “name” everything to ensure as little as possible goes missing.
The survey, conducted via OnePoll.com, also explored the shopping habits of parents throughout the back-to-school build up – with 41% aiming to do the bulk of their buying at supermarkets.
One in five will grab the lion’s share at discounters, and just 12% will do most of it online.
Of those popping to the shops, they hope to get everything in an average of four different retailers, and get it all done within five hours. However, 75% describe dragging their little ones around the shops as “exhausting”.
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The DYMO spokesman added: “It is no surprise parents feel relieved once the back-to-school countdown has finally come to an end. So much effort and organisation will go into getting them ready for school after a long summer.
“And that’s why we try to take some of the pressure away by offering simple solutions with our products, to help parents organise workplaces and equipment with no hassle at all.”