Are You Prepared for FOSH?

Nearly two million parents admit to experiencing “Fear Of the School Holidays” (FOSH), with the peak of this anxiety hitting on an evening in mid-July. According to a recent study by the family activity app, Hoop, this is typically when parents across the UK realize they haven’t scheduled enough activities to fill the long six-week summer holiday.

The survey highlights that over half of parents confess to postponing activity planning until the last minute, with a quarter waiting until only a few days before the holidays. Faced with the challenge of entertaining their children for six consecutive weeks, nearly two-thirds (58%) of British parents report dreading the school break and feeling isolated without the usual school-based network of playdates.

Time constraints, limited finances, and a lack of inspiration are common reasons parents cite for not arranging a variety of activities. These factors contribute to nearly half of parents feeling guilty and a quarter feeling inadequate in their role. On average, parents of children up to age eleven hear complaints like “I’m bored” or “Can I watch TV?” over 400 times throughout the holiday – not to mention requests for tablets or other devices.

Max Jennings, co-founder of Hoop and a parent himself, commented on the study: “Like all parents, I find the school holidays daunting as our usual family routine is disrupted. I see the extended break as a chance to discover new activities for my kids, yet, no matter how organized we try to be, I know we’ll face days when we run out of ideas to keep them engaged.”

The Hoop app, launched the previous year, aims to help parents find local, child-friendly activities and events, with thousands of options available each month.

For further insights, visit Hoop’s website.