Today (Thur) marks the summer holiday 'breaking point' - the day most parents wish their children could go back to school, according to a new study.
A survey of 2,000 parents found that after three weeks and four days of bickering and 'I'm bored' comments from their children, today is the day they throw in the towel.
Running out of money and ideas to entertain them, a lack of childcare and their house resembling a tip means six in ten parents have reached a point where they're wishing away the remainder of the summer holiday.
More than half even admitted that while they love the first few weeks at home with their children for the summer holidays, the novelty usually wears off weeks before they are due to return to school.
Roger Binks, Customer Experience Director at shopping centre owner intu, which is hosting Super Hero takeovers at its top shopping centres across the UK until the end of the school holidays, said: "The summer holidays are a great chance for families to spend quality time together.
"But it can be hard to make ideas and money last the entire six weeks, meaning children can end up bored and fed-up well before the end of the holiday.
"Getting out of the house is key to keeping everyone happy and not everything has to cost a fortune.
"We're always looking for fun ways to keep families entertained for free, especially during the summer holidays, as they can be difficult to get through for parents and children alike.
"There are still many fun and free activities and events taking place across the country which parents can take advantage of before the summer ends."
The study revealed 59 per cent of parents reach a point, around four weeks into the six-week break, when they are looking forward to the kids returning to school.
Six in ten admitted they find the school holidays a stressful affair, with 15 per cent even going as far as to admit they don't look forward to the summer holidays at all.
Children's constant complaints about being bored was found to be the top reason parents start to look forward to the return of term time, followed by running out of money and ideas to keep them entertained.
An untidy house and children missing their friends completed the top five.
Endless arguments, missing the normal routine and bad weather also featured in the top ten list.
Intu, owner of 15 of the largest and most popular shopping centres in the UK, is hosting free family-friendly events and activities starring Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman that will last until the end of the school holidays.
In partnership with Warner Bros Consumer Products, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman official costumed characters are making personal appearances at all intu centres, including intu Trafford Centre, intu Lakeside and intu Metrocentre throughout the rest of the summer.
Roger Binks added: "Our aim is to put a smile on the face of all our customers so we're excited to be coming to the rescue of families everywhere by bringing the world's best known Super Heroes to the UK for free.
"We're putting the superpowers of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman together to create fantastic activities, events and special costume character meet and greets that will make sure children leave our centres even more of a Super Hero than when they came in."
Free activities for children include workshops to create Batman's mask, Superman's cape and Wonder Woman's tiara and cuffs.
And they can even take part in DC Super Hero missions of their own by tracking down Super-Villains like The Joker and The Penguin who will be hidden in each centre.
Top 10 reasons parents start to look forward to the return of school1. My children complain they are bored all of the time
2. I run out of money to entertain them
3. I run out of ideas of things to do
4. My child/children start to argue all the time
5. The house starts to look like a rubbish dump
6. My child/children start missing their friends
7. We all miss the normal routine
8. The weather means many days are spent inside
9. I'm just absolutely exhausted
10. The whole family argues more
