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If you are to simply believe what you read on Facebook or Instagram, people were all too happy to be hanging out with their families on the holidays. Just look at some of the pictures posted online and you might even begin to believe that they have the perfect family. Of course, we all know that is not the case.

It has become such an issue that a survey was conditioned by Motel 6 and conducted by OnePoll to get to the bottom of the matter. 2000 Americans were surveyed who would be traveling to stay with family over the holiday season. The poll showed that respondents spend an average of three hours and 54 minutes with their extended family and at that point, they need a break.

75% of those who responded said they will eventually reach the point that they need to get away from the family. Some of them find a way to tactfully escape. 25% will hide in the house somewhere, such as the garage or a guest room. 37% will make up an excuse so they can get out of the house.

Photo: NeedPix

On average, the respondents would stay with the family for 3 1/2 days. 40% of those who have family come to their home find coordinating sleeping arrangements to be the most stressful part of the deal. It is likely that two guests will have to sleep on something other than a bed. If you happen to be one of those individuals, you won’t be the happiest person in the morning. That is especially true considering the average travel time to visit family is more than four hours.

It isn’t all doom and gloom that came from this poll. 95% said that it was important to see family on the holidays. One the same 95% were asked if the family visit was stressful, two out of five said “yes’.

When you really get down to it, life is not always going to be straight out of a Hallmark movie. When you stay with family you might be with those you know but you are still away from the majority of your belongings. What this survey has taught us is that it may just be we’re spending the night at a hotel rather than sleeping on that air mattress.

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