The exact age children in London stop holding their parent’s hand and other bittersweet moments

The study, organised by the UK's number one children’s name sticker and iron-on name label brand, My Nametags, surveyed 1,000 UK parents of children aged 8-14, including parents in London, about their experiences of ‘parenting lasts’.

The research showed that many of these milestones happen around the age of 7.

On average, children are 7 years old the last time they call their parents ‘mummy’ or ‘daddy'. They are the same age when parents last experience tucking them into bed, as well as reading them a bedtime story for the final time. In addition, children are aged 7 and a half when they stop holding their parent’s hand and 5 and a half years old when they last asked to be carried.

Children are just 7 years old, on average, the last time parents experience them believing in Father Christmas and when they stop believing in the tooth fairy.

A truly emotive topic for parents, 68% agree that ‘parenting lasts’ are one of the saddest parts of children growing up. Almost three quarters of parents said that it made them sad to think of the little parenting things that no longer happen, like holding hands.

However, 78% of parents don’t remember all of their ‘parenting lasts’. 80% wished they had more opportunity to cherish the special moments they shared with their child when they were small.

Lars B. Andersen, Managing Director at My Nametags, says: “It’s true what they say, children aren’t small forever and those special moments that parents share with their children, such as holding their hand or putting them to bed, can be gone before you know it. As parents, we often don’t realise it’s the last time we did something with our children until after it’s happened, and that can be emotional.”

The survey also revealed parents desire to spend more time with their children – three quarters of parents said they wish they had more time to spend with their child, while 86% said they would like to create new special moments with their child before it is too late. 83% admitted they would like to be more present with their child and not be distracted by other responsibilities.

Lars adds: “Finding additional time to spend with our children, amid busy work schedules and meeting other responsibilities, can be tricky, but I know, from experience, just how important it is. Before you know it, children become less eager to spend their time with you, so if we can find ways of saving time, then we can use it to make even more precious memories with our children.”

Take a look at some of our tips on how you can free up time and cherish special moments with your children.