15 things parents will probably never say to their children

“Let me tell you about what I learnt at school today”, “Thank you for tidying my room” – and “Can I go to bed early tonight?’” sound unfamiliar to your parental ears? Don’t worry, many parents in the UK feel the same.

88% of parents struggle with their kid’s lack of communication

In fact, 88% per cent of British parents with primary school-aged children feel that they’re really struggling with their kids’ lack of communication with over a third of parents (34%) wishing, their child would ask them “Would you like to hear about what I learned at school today?”

Of course, parents also hoped their kids would compliment them on their cooking or told them they had happily tidied their bedroom but the survey brought to light that the main area we would like our children to communicate with us more about is school.

Sam Chaudhary, co-founder of ClassDojo knows that “families say goodbye in the morning, and often don’t see each other again until dinner time”.

There are a couple of things you can do to feel more connected to your children and if you need a little nudge, check out this blog post with lots of tips to get your kids to talk about their day. ClassDojo, however, have found a way that does not only let you hear about your kids’ school day but also see it.

ClassDojo Portfolios help parent-child communication

Their student-led Portfolios are a simple and fun way for children to share their school day right from their phone by taking photos or videos of classroom projects, writing journal entries or sharing voice notes and drawing.  All under the watchful eye of their teacher, though, so don’t panic!

ClassDojo’s Sam Chaudhary explains that “being able to easily share a project children are working on, or see a picture of a ‘magic moment’ from class that parents otherwise would have missed brings everyone closer together. Compared to having a parent-teacher meeting once a term, this kind of frequent sharing is a game-changer.

But what are the sentences that parents are least likely to hear from their children and what do parents think their kids would love them to say but will never leave their mouths?

Check out the list below and scroll down for the things your favourite parenting bloggers are unlikely to ever say to their children:

Sentences parents are unlikely to hear from their kids

1.     “The toys are all tidied away and put in the right boxes.” 35%

2.     “Let me tell you about what I learnt at school today.” 34%

3.     “Can I go to bed early tonight?’” 32%

4.     “Thank you for tidying my room” 32%

5.     “I’ve put all my clothes in the laundry basket” 30%

6.     “Would you like to see how well I’ve done my homework?” 28%

7.     “I’ve watched enough TV for one day” 28%

8.     “I’ve already packed my school bag for tomorrow” 27%

9.     “There’s a letter in my school bag you should probably read” 25%

10.  “I can see you’re on the phone, so I’m going to play quietly” 24%

11.  “I’ve done that thing you asked me to do.” 24%

12.  “Oh, you’re in the bathroom, I’ll just wait.” 23%

13.  “I really love family mealtimes.” 23%

14.  “How much is that? It’s too expensive.” 22%

15.  “This meal is delicious” 22%

16.  “Can I have an apple instead of ice cream?” 22%

17.  “I feel like I need to brush my teeth for longer” 21%

18.  “Of course I don’t need to buy anything in this shop.” 21%

19.  “There’s so much to do at home I can easily entertain myself” 18%

20.  “I can quietly entertain myself on this long car journey” 18%

Sentences kids are unlikely to hear from their parents – the blogger edition

Yes, of course, you can have another chocolate biscuit – you guys are so much fun when you’re on a manic sugar rush! Jax / Mummy’s Little Monkey

Come in any time you want…no, you don’t have a curfew this week Nickie / I Am Typecast

Don’t worry about eating the delicious and healthy meal I cooked from scratch. Of course, you can just have biscuits instead! Rebecca / Becca blogs it out

Could we, please, watch that episode of Peppa again? I can’t get enough of the Bing Bong song, Madam Gazelle is a lyrical genius. Anna / Les Femmes Ensemble

£980 for a ski trip? Absolute bargain. Tell you what, I’ll pay for your friend too! Tracey / Pack the PJs

Oh my Darling, carry on screaming your way round Sainsbury’s. I love it when the older generation look at me like I’m raising a future convict! Erica / The Incidental Parent

Why don’t you have ice cream for breakfast today? In fact, just skip meals altogether and stick to puddings. Vegetables are so overrated these days. Terri / The Strawberry Fountain

I just wish your bedtime was a little later. Kate / Ever After with Kids

I would absolutely love to spend 2 hours building a paper-mâché planet after you’ve gone to bed. Thanks for telling me at 8 in the evening. Pete / Household Money Saving

Yes, of course, you can lie down and make an angel in that muddy puddle. It’s not a problem that I’ve already changed you once on our way to nursery because you had an accident before we left the house. Clare / My Money Cottage

Why don’t you take that packet of chocolate digestives and sit on the cream sofa with your tablet and your juice? Robyn / Cold Cuppa Club

Don’t worry, you can sit on the PlayStation for the entire weekend and I’ll just bring you your breakfast, lunch and dinner whilst play. Mandi / Big Family, Organised Chaos

Of course, you can quit school, honey. You are 8 years old, you’ve done enough now and I know you don’t like it. Clare / This Mummy’s Always Right

I love the drawing you made on the walls and bedding with that highlighter pen! Jo / A Rose-Tinted World

Of course, you don’t have to do your homework or study for that maths test darling. I’ll just write you a note instead! Clare / Emmy’s Mummy

If you are a parent, what is the last thing you’d be caught saying to your children?

This is a collaborative post