OnePoll / SWNS

According to a new poll, small moments of joy can turn even the most routine and ordinary day into memorable family time.

The survey of 2,000 American millennial parents found that moms and dads, on average, try to have fun with their kids outside the normal schedule, five days out of the week.

Commissioned by Hostess and conducted by Talker Research, the study found that 86% feel confident in their abilities to make small moments of joy for their family throughout the average day, and 91% believe finding moments of joy can have a positive impact both on their own and their kid’s wellbeing.

The parents were asked what makes their days feel more joyful: over half said making their kids laugh, or being silly with their kids; 46% said cuddling; and 43% also want to do something spontaneous and fun.

And when they feel like they’re stuck doing mundane tasks, parents said they like to make it more joyous by singing along to music (63%), generally being silly (46%) or dancing with their kids (43%).

The average parent said they try to surprise their kids with fun activities three times per week.

In fact, 68% like treating their kids to some sort of spontaneous activity, such as giving them a special treat or snack (59%), buying them something new (58%), or playing games together (57%).

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Meanwhile, 78% of parents said they actually prefer planning fun activities for their kids ahead of time. They like to schedule visits to local parks (60%), plan family activities (51%), and half of the parents surveyed said they plan ahead to reward their kids for good grades.

“Following a daily routine can be beneficial for families and helps everyday life run smoothly, but it can also become repetitive and monotonous,” said Chris Balach, a VP at The J.M. Smucker Co. “A small break away from a typical day to find and appreciate moments of joy makes a big difference.”

Over seven in 10 parents prefer weekends for creating spontaneous moments of joy because they are able to spend more time relaxing with family without worrying about school or work.

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But, nine in 10 are certain the more time their family plays together, the happier and more closely knit they will feel. And, 88% believed it’s important to have family outings outside the home at least once per week.

“Whether it’s planning a trip to the park or having an impromptu karaoke session at home, breaking away from the daily routine can encourage parents and kids to create lasting memories and appreciate those special moments of joy together,” added Balach.

TOP 10 WAYS PARENTS SAY THEY CAN MAKE THE DAY MORE JOYFUL
– Making my kid(s) laugh – 52%
– Being silly with my kid(s) – 48%
– Cuddling with my kid(s) – 46%
– Having nice weather – 43%
– Doing something spontaneous and fun – 43%
– Spending more time with my kid(s) at home – 43%
– Experiencing something for the first time with my kid(s) – 40%
– Spending time outdoors – 39%
– Learning new things alongside my kid(s) – 36%
– Finding a new mutual interest or hobby with my kid(s) – 33%

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