More than nine in ten parents (92%) struggle to get enough “me time” for themselves – with 24% considering simply sitting in silence as quality alone time.
The top activities that overwhelmed mums and dads would class as “me time” include watching TV, reading a book, or going for a walk.
But more than a quarter (26%), of 1,000 parents polled, even view sleeping as a treat – and 53% have gone through an entire day without getting a chance to eat.
One in six (16%) think simply eating breakfast is a luxury – while nearly a third (30%) have eaten a snack with their head hidden inside a cupboard, to avoid having it snatched out of their hands by their kids.
More than six in ten have hidden in a bathroom to steal a couple of moments away from the children – with 38% using this time to sit on the toilet and scroll through their phone.
But 29% feel they can't even go to the bathroom without being followed in by their offspring.
In a bid to get some time to themselves, a third (32%) have pretended to be loading the washing machine, while 29% have busied themselves with housework upstairs.
A spokesman for Energizer, which commissioned the research, said: “Parents certainly have a lot on their hands, with endless “to do” lists that never seem to include any “me time”.
“This is clearly leading to frazzled mums and dads desperately seeking a slice of serenity in any way they possibly can, including taking refuge in the bathroom.
“In today’s ever busy world, we’re urging parents to take just 15 minutes each day to re-charge their batteries.”
The study also found more than three-quarters (78%) feel juggling a job and parenthood takes its toll, while 56% are exhausted in their efforts to fill the weekends with activities.
But parents will forgo five “me time” moments a week for the good of the kids – and a third admit they also find it hard to do anything fun with their partner due to their relentless life commitments.
And 32% don’t feel like they can because of the constant chores.
Nearly half (48%) don’t have any regular help from family members to look after the children – leaving 53% “forgetting” to eat during an entire day.
And weary parents, polled via OnePoll, also average just five hours of sleep a night – with 40% left feeling low on energy daily, or even multiple times a day, requiring as many as three pick-me-ups.
The spokesman for Energizer added: “We strongly recommend stocking up on batteries, especially ahead of Christmas, to avoid parents feeling overwhelmed by frantically trying to power up toys and gadgets to keep their kids entertained.”
TOP 20 THINGS PARENTS CONSIDER “ME TIME”:
- Watching TV
- Reading a book
- Going for a walk
- Sleeping
- Sitting in silence
- Having a relaxing bath
- Catching up with a friend without the kids
- Doing some exercise
- Having a glass of wine or beer
- Having a treat meal
- Doing some gardening
- Baking
- A spa treatment
- Playing sport
- Going for a run
- Eating breakfast uninterrupted
- Going for a drive on your own
- Having a haircut
- Going to an exercise class
- Drying my hair in peace
