Latest news with #NicoleMelilloShaw
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Most distracting things kids do in the car from repeating questions to arguing with their siblings, survey shows
Parents admit they'd rather clean toilets than face road trips with kids DRIVE BY Most distracting things kids do in the car from repeating questions to arguing with their siblings, survey shows ONE in three drivers has had a near miss — thanks to kids kicking off in the back seat. Screaming, fighting, wriggling out of seatbelts and asking 'Are we there yet?' on repeat are pushing parents to the edge, a new poll reveals. 4 On average, parents reckon they've got just over 30 minutes before the whining and wriggling starts 4 the real game-changer is handing over a tablet or phone, with 32 per cent saying it's the most effective trick in the book 4 Nicole Melillo Shaw, Volvo's UK boss, said it's no surprise that so many parents find long car journeys completely stressful Credit: PA The survey of 500 mums and dads who drive found bickering siblings top the list of distractions, with 44 per cent saying it's their biggest nightmare. Another 39 per cent say full-blown screaming fits leave them rattled behind the wheel, and 37 per cent are driven round the bend by a constant barrage of questions. And it's not just annoying, it's dangerous. Over a third of parents have admitted to taking their eyes off the road to deal with kids who've wriggled free from their seatbelts. One in five have actually ended up having a prang because of the chaos. In a bid to restore some order, over half of parents have resorted to bribing their kids with snacks mid-drive. Others admit they blast music to drown out the noise or hand out promises of treats if their little angels behave. But for many, the real game-changer is handing over a tablet or phone, with 32 per cent saying it's the most effective trick in the book. The research was commissioned by Volvo Car UK as part of its Roadside Nature campaign, alongside the Eden Project and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall. I test iPhone's genius trick to beat car sickness on road trip Together, they've launched a nature-themed activity pack to keep kids engaged with what's outside the car window, not glued to a screen, so parents can focus on the road. Nicole Melillo Shaw, Volvo's UK boss, said it's no surprise that so many parents find long car journeys completely stressful. She warned that it only takes one moment of distraction for things to go badly wrong, especially when parents are juggling tantrums, seatbelt drama and mid-drive snack demands. The survey found over half of parents feel anxious at the thought of taking kids on a long journey, and nearly half have even cancelled plans to avoid the ordeal altogether. Some said they'd rather stay home doing the laundry or even deep-clean the bathroom than face a motorway meltdown. On average, parents reckon they've got just over 30 minutes before the whining and wriggling starts. But with more than eight in ten families planning or considering a long drive this summer, many are preparing for battle. Nearly half will schedule extra pit stops to let the kids blow off steam, and others are hitting the road at the crack of dawn to make progress while the little ones are still asleep. In fact, nearly seven in ten say keeping their kids entertained in the car feels like a full-time job. But a glimmer of hope lies in the great outdoors — over a quarter of parents say their children noticeably chill out when passing through scenic, nature-rich areas. Yet he study, which also polled 500 kids, revealed a shocking disconnect from the world outside the window. More children could recognise Hogwarts Castle and Peppa Pig's House than actual UK landmarks like Stonehenge or the White Cliffs of Dover. And cartoon characters like Minions and Pikachu were more familiar than bluebells or dandelions. It gets worse, nearly half of kids couldn't identify an oak tree, and over a third couldn't spot a bumblebee or ladybird. Wildlife expert Steve Backshall, ambassador for the Roadside Nature campaign, said today's kids are more clued up on fantasy worlds than the real one right outside their car window. He said the activity pack is about making every road trip a mini adventure, helping children reconnect with nature while giving stressed-out parents a break behind the wheel. TOP 10 MOST DISTRACTING THINGS KIDS DO IN THE BACK SEAT: Arguing with siblings 2. Screaming 3. Asking repeated questions 4. Taking off their seatbelt 5. Kicking the back of your seat 6. Throwing toys or objects 7. Crying 8. Reaching or climbing around the car 9. Needing help with food or drink 10. Complaining about being hungry
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Most distracting things kids do in the car from repeating questions to arguing with their siblings, survey shows
Parents admit they'd rather clean toilets than face road trips with kids DRIVE BY Most distracting things kids do in the car from repeating questions to arguing with their siblings, survey shows Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ONE in three drivers has had a near miss — thanks to kids kicking off in the back seat. Screaming, fighting, wriggling out of seatbelts and asking 'Are we there yet?' on repeat are pushing parents to the edge, a new poll reveals. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 On average, parents reckon they've got just over 30 minutes before the whining and wriggling starts 4 the real game-changer is handing over a tablet or phone, with 32 per cent saying it's the most effective trick in the book 4 Nicole Melillo Shaw, Volvo's UK boss, said it's no surprise that so many parents find long car journeys completely stressful Credit: PA The survey of 500 mums and dads who drive found bickering siblings top the list of distractions, with 44 per cent saying it's their biggest nightmare. Another 39 per cent say full-blown screaming fits leave them rattled behind the wheel, and 37 per cent are driven round the bend by a constant barrage of questions. And it's not just annoying, it's dangerous. Over a third of parents have admitted to taking their eyes off the road to deal with kids who've wriggled free from their seatbelts. One in five have actually ended up having a prang because of the chaos. In a bid to restore some order, over half of parents have resorted to bribing their kids with snacks mid-drive. Others admit they blast music to drown out the noise or hand out promises of treats if their little angels behave. But for many, the real game-changer is handing over a tablet or phone, with 32 per cent saying it's the most effective trick in the book. The research was commissioned by Volvo Car UK as part of its Roadside Nature campaign, alongside the Eden Project and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall. I test iPhone's genius trick to beat car sickness on road trip Together, they've launched a nature-themed activity pack to keep kids engaged with what's outside the car window, not glued to a screen, so parents can focus on the road. Nicole Melillo Shaw, Volvo's UK boss, said it's no surprise that so many parents find long car journeys completely stressful. She warned that it only takes one moment of distraction for things to go badly wrong, especially when parents are juggling tantrums, seatbelt drama and mid-drive snack demands. The survey found over half of parents feel anxious at the thought of taking kids on a long journey, and nearly half have even cancelled plans to avoid the ordeal altogether. Some said they'd rather stay home doing the laundry or even deep-clean the bathroom than face a motorway meltdown. On average, parents reckon they've got just over 30 minutes before the whining and wriggling starts. But with more than eight in ten families planning or considering a long drive this summer, many are preparing for battle. Nearly half will schedule extra pit stops to let the kids blow off steam, and others are hitting the road at the crack of dawn to make progress while the little ones are still asleep. In fact, nearly seven in ten say keeping their kids entertained in the car feels like a full-time job. But a glimmer of hope lies in the great outdoors — over a quarter of parents say their children noticeably chill out when passing through scenic, nature-rich areas. Yet he study, which also polled 500 kids, revealed a shocking disconnect from the world outside the window. More children could recognise Hogwarts Castle and Peppa Pig's House than actual UK landmarks like Stonehenge or the White Cliffs of Dover. And cartoon characters like Minions and Pikachu were more familiar than bluebells or dandelions. It gets worse, nearly half of kids couldn't identify an oak tree, and over a third couldn't spot a bumblebee or ladybird. Wildlife expert Steve Backshall, ambassador for the Roadside Nature campaign, said today's kids are more clued up on fantasy worlds than the real one right outside their car window. He said the activity pack is about making every road trip a mini adventure, helping children reconnect with nature while giving stressed-out parents a break behind the wheel. TOP 10 MOST DISTRACTING THINGS KIDS DO IN THE BACK SEAT: Arguing with siblings 2. Screaming 3. Asking repeated questions 4. Taking off their seatbelt 5. Kicking the back of your seat 6. Throwing toys or objects 7. Crying 8. Reaching or climbing around the car 9. Needing help with food or drink 10. Complaining about being hungry
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
One in three parents have had a near miss in the car because of their kids
A poll of 500 parents found the top distractions from passengers included bickering siblings, incessant screaming, and endless questions One in three motorists have experienced a near miss due to their children throwing a tantrum in the back seat, according to a survey of 500 parents. The main distractions cited by parents included squabbling siblings, relentless screaming and a barrage of questions. Over a third of parents confessed to taking their eyes off the road when their children managed to wriggle out of their seatbelts. For 19 per cent, the mayhem in the back seats resulted in a minor collision with another vehicle. In an attempt to maintain order and prevent accidents, 57 per cent of parents admitted to bribing their kids with snacks. Some parents also resort to playing their children's favourite tunes or promising rewards for good behaviour. However, a third found that the most effective tactic was to hand over a tablet or smartphone. It comes after a woman travels 8 hours for wedding only to be told to leave for not reading invite 'small print'. Airbnb host rejects duo's booking after learning where in the UK they're from The study was commissioned by Volvo Car UK as part of its Roadside Nature campaign, in collaboration with the Eden Project and wildlife presenter Steve Backshall. The campaign launch includes an activity pack to keep children engaged with nature outside their windows, allowing parents to concentrate on driving. Nicole Melillo Shaw, managing director for Volvo Car UK said: "It's no surprise so many parents find long car journeys stressful - trying to concentrate while managing tantrums, squabbles and constant questions is no easy task." "The reality is it only takes a momentary distraction to lead to a potentially dangerous situation," she added. "That's why we've launched our Roadside Nature campaign - to help keep children calm, curious and occupied, so drivers can stay focused and stay safe." The research revealed 52 per cent of parents feel worried about going on lengthy journeys with their youngsters because they worry about how disruptive they can be. As a result, almost half have actually scrapped travel plans altogether. On average, parents reckon they get about half-an-hour into the driving before the whining, wailing and wriggling begins. Consequently, most families either planning or contemplating a long car journey this summer are plotting their route with extra precautions. Almost half plan to incorporate more frequent breaks allowing their youngsters to burn off energy, whilst 23 per cent are leaving early hoping to cover ground while their tiny travellers take a nap. A quarter said their children appear significantly more settled when travelling through picturesque or wildlife-rich locations. However, the study showed an alarming gap between in young children's knowledge of the natural world. Surveying 500 children revealed they are more likely to identify Hogwarts Castle, or Peppa Pig's residence, than iconic sites such as Stonehenge or the White Cliffs of Dover. They are also better acquainted with Minions and Pikachu than dandelions or bluebells, with a fifth unable to identify common British trees. While almost half of the children surveyed were unable to identify an oak tree, 17 per cent lacked confidence identifying insects - with 32 per cent of these unable to recognise a ladybird or a bumblebee. Steve Backshall, official ambassador of Volvo Car UK's Roadside Nature campaign, said: "Nature is full of wonder - but today's kids are more familiar with cartoon castles than real ones. "This pack is all about opening their eyes to the world beyond the screen, making every road trip a mini adventure. "By encouraging children to appreciate their surroundings during travels, we not only keep them engaged but also minimise distractions for the driver - creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone."
