City parents spend little time with kids during holidays

Compared to parents in Delhi and Bangalore, parents in Mumbai spend less time at home with their children during holidays, a new survey has claimed.

Compared to parents in Delhi and Bangalore, parents in Mumbai spend less time at home with their children during holidays, a new survey has claimed.

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The findings were part of a study commissioned by technology company HP and conducted by market research firm Ipsos. A total of 378 respondents (226 parents and 152 children) from all three cities were surveyed in June. Of these, 128 were from Mumbai, 125 from Bangalore and 125 were from Delhi.

“In this city, time passes so fast. I meet my children properly only during dinner,” said Seema Parekh, a mother of two who, until two months ago, was working as a counsellor. “Children have their own schedule; there are always tests or exams to prepare for. Even travelling within the city takes up so much time.”

“It's not about the time you spend… the time spent should be quality time,” said psychiatrist Dr Anjali Chhabria. “Spend it well, emote with your child and have fun. If you don’t connect, you won’t know what’s happening with your child."

The study found that children spent 4.1 hours a day at home for leisure activities during holidays. In comparison, they spent 3.19 hours in outdoor activities. Further, one in 10 Mumbai parents wanted their children to spend more of their free time at home.