Morning misery!

The study, from Kellogg’s Oaties, has found that a growing number of parents clock up an average of 2.3 hours of household chores and complete more than 20 separate tasks before the paid workday even begins. Almost three in five (58 per cent) set their alarms before 6am just to fit it all in, while 82 per cent of parents admit the last 15 minutes before leaving the house is more stressful than their actual job. Three in 10 say they get less than five minutes to themselves each morning, while 7 in 10 admit to dashing out the door with wet hair and 22 per cent forget to lock the door!

Overload is setting in across the nation, with two thirds of parents saying they feel burnt out by the school routine within the first two weeks of term. The top stressors derailing the school run include missing shoes, children refusing to get out of bed and last-minute toilet trips.

Stressed out parents say they would trade an hour of sleep in the evening, social media access, their gym membership, or even a holiday for a calmer start to the day.

Kellogg’s is partnering with celebrity parents Cara and Nathan Delahoyde-Massey in sharing personal tips for managing the morning crunch time. These include:

Plan ahead the night before. Laying out uniforms and packing lunches in advance helps mornings flow more smoothly.

Make breakfast your anchor. Even a few minutes together around the breakfast table helps everyone connect, reset and get ready for the day.

Turn routines into rewards. Simple charts or fun incentives really help with everyday tasks such as brushing teeth or getting dressed.

Build in a buffer. Allowing a few spare minutes for the unexpected keeps mornings running smoothly and spirits high.

Cherish the small moments. Pause to appreciate the small moments that make the morning rush worthwhile – a final hug before school, a quick conversation along the way, or the first peaceful sip of coffee once the kids are off.

Visit www.kelloggs.co.uk