Secret of family bliss: Good wifi and 2 bathrooms
THE key to domestic family bliss is banning mobiles from the dinner table, two bathrooms and good wifi, a study has revealed.
At least 12 hours of quality time a week and two holidays each year are considered essential with enough bedrooms so no one has to share – and parents should have date nights.
There should also be a sofa big enough for everyone to watch a film while a fun activity which everyone in the family can enjoy is crucial. The poll of 2,000 parents found they wanted one-on-one time with their children, with grandparents living nearby.
Enough space in a house is also important with a “man cave” for dad also topping the bliss wish list.
Cooking together as a family and owning a dishwasher, tumble dryer, second television set or a tablet also make for happy living. And a lock on the bathroom door is essential.
But on the downside, while nearly eight in 10 families say they manage to achieve some bliss together, only 15 per cent do so on a regular basis.
A lack of time and money were named the biggest barriers, followed by different interests, gadgets, technology and poor family organisation.
It also emerged that almost nine in 10 admit they need to make more of an effort to do fun things together.
Liz Penney, of bowling company Hollywood Bowl which commissioned the survey, said: “It’s important to take a step back from the gadgets as much as possible to enjoy some happy quality time together as a family.
“Nobody can expect to achieve domestic bliss 100 per cent but setting aside time together can make a real difference.”