NottinghamLIFE: Parents in Nottingham begin return to school countdown

Study by shopping centre owner intu finds more than half of parents are running out of ideas to keep their children entertained

intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh hosts free DC Super Hero activities, events and meet and greets until the end of the school holidays

This is the week most parents wish their children could go back to school, a study by shopping centre owner intu has found.

A study of 2,000 parents across the UK commissioned by intu found that after three weeks and four days of bickering and ‘I’m bored’ comments from their children, this is the week parents begin to count down the days until September and the first day back at school.

Running out of money and ideas to entertain them, a lack of childcare and their house resembling a tip means six in ten parents have reached a point where they’re wishing away the remainder of the summer holiday.

More than half even admitted that while they love the first few weeks at home with their children for the summer holidays, the novelty usually wears off weeks before they are due to return to school.

Parents in the East Midlands start wishing their children were back at school just three and a half weeks into the holidays with nearly 70 per cent finding it difficult to think of activities to keep their little ones amused during the summer.

Nicola McCabe, marketing manager for intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh, which are hosting a Super Hero takeover until the end of the school holidays, said: “We’re always looking for fun ways to keep families entertained for free, especially during the summer holidays, as they can be difficult to get through for parents and children alike.

“The summer holidays are a great chance for families to spend quality time together but it can be hard to make ideas and money last the entire six weeks, meaning children can end up bored and fed-up well before the end of the holiday.

“Getting out of the house is key to keeping everyone happy and not everything has to cost a fortune.

“There are still many fun and free activities and events taking place across the country which parents can take advantage of before the summer ends.”

The study revealed 59 per cent of parents reach a point, around four weeks into the six-week break, when they are looking forward to the kids returning to school.

Six in ten admitted they find the school holidays a stressful affair, with 15 per cent even going as far as to admit they don’t look forward to the summer holidays at all.

Children’s constant complaints about being bored was found to be the top reason parents start to look forward to the return of term time, followed by running out of money and ideas to keep them entertained.

Endless arguments, an untidy house and missing the normal routine also featured in the top ten list.

Across the East Midlands more than 30 per cent of parents said their children complained about being bored all the time with a further 27 per cent saying that their little ones missing their friends made for a stressful few weeks.

intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh are hosting a series of free family-friendly events and activities starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman that will last until the end of the school holidays.

In partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman official costumed characters are making personal appearances at all intu centres, across the UK throughout the rest of the summer.

Nicola added: “Our aim is to put a smile on the face of all our customers so we’re excited to be coming to the rescue of families everywhere by bringing the world’s best known Super Heroes to Nottingham for free.

“We’re putting the superpowers of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman together to create fantastic activities, events and special costume character meet and greets that will make sure children leave our centre even more of a Super Hero than when they came in.”

Free activities for children include being able to meet Superman at intu Victoria Centre on 24 August, creating their very own super hero accessories in craft workshops at both centres and honing their super hero skills at intu’s very own training academy at intu Broadmarsh until 26 August. And they can even take part in DC Super Hero missions of their own by tracking down Super-Villains like The Joker and The Penguin who will be hidden in each centre.

Top 10 reasons parents start to look forward to the return of school

1.    My children complain they are bored all of the time

2.    I run out of money to entertain them

3.    I run out of ideas of things to do

4.    My child/children start to argue all the time

5.    The house starts to look like a rubbish dump

6.    My child/children start missing their friends

7.    We all miss the normal routine

8.    The weather means many days are spent inside

9.    I’m just absolutely exhausted

10.  The whole family argues more

intu Victoria Centre and intu Broadmarsh’s DC Super Hero summer lasts until 24 August and 26 August respectively. Visit www.intu.co.uk/superhero to find details of what’s on and opening hours.