Quality time with kids a ‘pipe dream’ for most parents

Parents are prioritising work and money despite wanting to spend more time with their children, according to a new survey.

The research by Scottish Widow Priorities of Life Index from 2,008 online interviews reveals for a fifth of parents, family doesn’t come first. The study declares quality time with children has become a "pipe dream" for many as hard-working parents sacrifice family time.

Although 32% of parents wish they had more time for family and friends, 46% say they aren't enough hours in the day and a third (31%) say their job gets in the way.

This focus on work may be to do with the fact a quarter are concerned with financial security and worry about neglecting it.

Alison Morris, savings expert for Scottish Widows continues: “It’s understandable parents want to work hard to provide for their children’s futures, but they could be missing out on spending valuable time with them growing up.”

The main thing parents worry about neglecting in their life is health (36%), closely followed by children (34%), relationships (33%) and finances (25%). Surprisingly, job security was last on the list at just 5%.