Apparently it may be true, as parents, according to a new study by Professor Tanya Byron called: The State of Play, Back to Basics might just have lost their playful touch.

After interviewing 2,000 parents and 2,000 children between the ages of 5 and 15 Professor Byron found that 21% of parents effectively do not know how to or cannot remember how best to interact with their children in a fun, creative manner. Worse still, around a third of parents admitted they found playing with their kids boring!

From the children's perspective around half wanted more time with mum and dad for fun and games. Although one in ten suggested they knew their parents found play time boring and a waste of time.

So the question that we have to pose here is: why are parents just so disinterested? Is it the long working hours? The lack of time? The fact that the easy option of letting the kids play computer games or watch TV is easier? 

The Professor suggests that there a number of elements that make up good playtime between parents and children, these being: 'education, inspiration, integration and communication'. Now to most men and fathers in particular that may sound like a load of waffle. To be fair that is what we thought when we initially read the piece. Although it has to be said there may be some supporting evidence in favour of that hypothesis.

Perhaps really it just requires parents to be a bit more natural, be themselves, forget about life and the job for one moment. Actually make a bit of effort and get stuck in.

It is true that around a third of the parents interviewed did say that work constraints contributed to their inability to spend more time playing with their children. 

Should fathers in particular make more effort or is it a joint responsibility? That is something parents and families probably have to decide themselves. One thing is definitely evident from the report, parents do need to do more.

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