Parents and kids appear to bond best when they’re in the car, according to new research.
British parents are quite literally ‘going round the houses’ when it comes to discussing serious
issues with their children – by using the family car as a travelling ‘confessional’.
The study, for Renault Scénic, shows 54 more per cent of kids are more likely to open up about
topics such as what happened at school and trouble with friends when mum or dad is behind the
wheel.
More than half of parents believe their child is easier to talk to in the car because there are
no other distractions, while four in 10 believe it’s because they’re not under a judgemental
stare at the time.
A third of parents also admit THEY find it easier to talk about more delicate subjects with their
little ones – such as the birds and the bees – while driving.
One in 10 concerned mums and dads have even deliberately gone on a car journey in a desperate bid
to get their child to talk more.
The study of 2,000 parents was conducted by Renault and explores the importance of family time in
the car as a place of honest conversations and storytelling.
Dr Linda Papadopolous, leading family psychologist commenting on behalf of Renault Scénic, said:
“This research suggests that the car journey can be a really important time for families, as for
some it can be the only time where a conversation can take place with very little distraction.”
“Based on the findings of the study it appears that parents feel that their children are more
comfortable addressing deeper and more meaningful issues if they’re not under the spotlight – if
mum or dad are focused on the road they can’t be under their watchful gaze, and sometimes this
can make it easier to open up.”
“And given the fact most parents are driving their children around in excess of eight times a
week, this means families have plenty of time to talk.”
The study reveals a list of the top 10 ‘car confessions’ from children – which includes 22 per
cent getting into trouble with a teacher and the same percentage revealing they hadn’t done very
well in a test.
Fourteen per cent of children have told their parents they forgot to do some homework when in the
car, and one in 10 admitted to getting detention for something they did wrong.
A further 10 per cent opened up about being worried about a change in their body, while eight per
cent have asked about the birds and the bees.
Sadly 12 per cent of children have talked to their parents about being bullied while in the
car,13 per cent confessed they thought no-one liked them and a third have discussed friendship
issues.
More than a third of parents think their conversations with the children are far more honest in
the car than anywhere else.
And six in 10 parents say it sometimes helps not having to look their child in the eye when
discussing more sensitive issues.
A quarter of parents admit they are less likely to react if their child confesses to being in
trouble when in the car, and one in five say they think their youngster is more receptive to
having a serious conversation because they can’t immediately be sent to their room.
A third of those polled say their children can hide a little in the car, which makes embarrassing
or sensitive discussions easier to handle.
Just over a third of mums and dads say they listen more when in the car with the children, as
there are no other distractions such as cooking and pressure to leave the house on time.
As such, 31 per cent feel more clued up on their children’s favourite TV and music shows after a
journey and 22 per cent know more about their friends.
More than a quarter of kids are happier divulging information about how they are feeling about
school when in the car, while 22 per cent are more likely to open up about family issues.
Bullying, what happened with a girlfriend or boyfriend and puberty are all subjects which are
more commonly brought up in the car than in any other location.
While some parents find it easier to talk to their children about homework, and addressing
questions about the world in general.
Top 10 ‘car confessions’
1. Something happening in a friendship at school
2. They didn’t do very well in a test
3. They had been naughty at school / got into trouble with a teacher
4. They forgot to do some homework
5. They accidentally hurt someone in the playground
6. They thought no-one liked them
7. They were being bullied
8. They were worried about a change in their body
9. They wanted to know more about the birds and the bees
10. They got a detention for something
Top 10 ‘easier in the car’ conversations
1. What happened at school that day
2. Trouble with friends
3. Whether they are enjoying school
4. Family issues
5. Homework
6. Questions about the world in general
7. Getting into trouble at school
8. What happened with a girlfriend / boyfriend
9. Growing pains / puberty
10. Bullying
The post Top 10 family ‘car confessions’ revealed appeared first on Automotive Blog.
from Automotive Blog http://www.automotiveblog.co.uk/2017/05/top-10-family-car-confessions-revealed/
Looking for a dash cam for your vehicle? Check out Dash Cam Buyers Guide: http://dashcambuyersguide.com/
from
https://dashcambuyersguide.tumblr.com/post/160473562713
No comments:
Post a Comment