Survey: Parents deal with six ‘family crises’ a day 

By Astrid Cooper, 72Point via SWNS

The average parent has to deal with six ‘family crises’ a day - including sibling squabbles, tantrums and running late to appointments, according to research.

A poll of 1,000 moms and dads of children aged 0-16 in the UK found disagreements over bedtime (17 percent) and struggling to understand their youngster’s homework (17 percent) are also among their daily conundrums.

Leaving the house without snacks in tow (15 percent), rescuing beloved toys or comforters (15 percent), and losing internet connectivity when watching a child’s favorite show (15 percent) also emerged among the top 10 little "everyday emergencies."

It also emerged that 88 percent of parents turn to tech to help solve these continuous challenges.

Communications company Vodafone commissioned the research in recognition of its network being relied upon by 77 percent of emergency services that have connectivity contracts with the provider.

The study also found when solving these everyday problems, 38 percent will use their smartphone for assistance, while 32 percent phone friends or family members.

And 28 percent seek advice from a voice-controlled personal assistant such as Amazon Alexa, or WhatsApp groups with other parents.

In fact, moms and dads turn to tech to manage five out of six of these "everyday emergencies" within a 24-hour-period.

And when a child turns three emerged as the peak time when turning to tech is most common.

At this point, parents laud technology solutions such as apps that help them keep in touch with their child’s school or nursery (33 percent), online booking platforms to arrange medical appointments for children (26 percent) and online shopping apps (22 percent).

It also emerged keeping children entertained (44 percent), helping out with homework (40 percent) and cooking meals for the family (31 percent), are the moments parents of children any age up to 16 would find most difficult without tech.

And 37 percent of those surveyed, via OnePoll, said becoming a parent has shown them how much they need reliable connectivity whether they’re at home or out and about.

While 31 percent said it is now much more important to them now than it was before they were a parent.

More than nine in 10 (91 percent) are also now using tech to help them navigate the cost-of-living crisis, by searching for discounts online (48 percent) using online loyalty schemes (47 percent) or price comparison apps (38 percent).

Vodafone's spokesperson said: “From a real-life emergency through to an ‘everyday emergency’ that most families know are only too common, our network can help families and emergency staff alike feel cool, calm and connected.”

THE 10 MOST COMMON FAMILY 'EVERYDAY EMERGENCIES':

• Children falling over and grazing themselves- 21%
• Resolving sibling squabbles - 18%
• Dealing with a child’s tantrums - 17%
• Running late to an appointment - 17%
• Disagreements about bedtime - 17%
• Struggling to understand a child’s homework - 17%
• Not knowing the answer to a question and googling to find out - 16%
• Realizing you don’t have snacks having left the house - 15%
• Rescuing a lost favorite toy or comforter - 15%
• Losing internet connectivity when watching a child’s favorite show - 15%