New York Parents Spend Hundreds of Hours on School Routines

Getting children ready for school can feel like a full-time job. Between making lunches, finding missing backpacks and driving children to school, New York families have a lot to handle each day.

A new survey from K12 shows just how much time and money the school routine may cost families. The company surveyed 1,000 parents about life before and after the school bell.

School Tasks Add Up to 12 Full Days

Parents spend almost 300 hours every school year dealing with school-related tasks, that is more than 12 full days. The total includes time spent getting children ready, driving them to and from school and handling every day school needs.

Parents and Children Are Losing Sleep

Nearly two-thirds of the parents surveyed said they have lost sleep because of their child’s school schedule. Children are also missing rest. 43% of parents said school routines keep their children from getting enough sleep.

Some Children Are Skipping Breakfast

The morning rush can also affect what children eat. More than one-third of parents said their children sometimes skip breakfast so they can get to school on time. This can make an already stressful morning even harder for New York families.

The School Routine Is Expensive

K12 estimates that families spend about $2,860 each school year on their daily school routines. That amount includes transportation, food, school supplies, activities and other costs tied to getting children through the school day.

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It Costs Families More Than Money

The daily school routine doesn't just affect a family’s budget. It can also take away sleep, free time and time together. As New York families prepare for another school year, the study shows that the hours before and after school may be just as demanding as the school day itself.