A new study by Three UK shows that over half of Brits (53%) now call their mum or maternal figure more often than a decade ago, with some calling daily. The connection peaks around age 29, as careers, families, and responsibilities grow.
The research, commissioned to explore the role of maternal figures across life milestones, found that in their early thirties, Brits call their mums an average of five times a week, with 41% calling at least once daily.
These are not brief check-ins, calls now last about 67 minutes on average, suggesting stronger, more meaningful parent-child relationships.
Timing matters as much as frequency and length. While 46% of Brits prefer weekend catch-ups, 31% have no set time, fitting calls around busy lives. Popular times are 10 am or 6 pm, with calls rarely after 11 pm.
Life events often increase contact: 37% after a health scare, 33% after having a child, and 29% following financial changes. Support also comes from fathers (60%), older siblings (52%), and aunties (52%), not just mothers.
Call lengths vary across the UK, from 34 minutes in Wolverhampton to 101 minutes in Middlesbrough. Communication is also evolving-65% have sent a voice note, 30% regularly, though over half of Gen X still prefer traditional calls.
Seventy-one percent now appreciate their parental figure more than a decade ago, and 52% rely on them more than in their twenties. After a call, 41% feel happy, showing the emotional value of these conversations.
With Mother’s Day approaching, this appreciation translates into action: 80% of mothers prefer a phone call or coffee over an expensive gift, 43% value spending time together, and many use their phones to organise moments like sending digital cards (36%) or ordering flowers (34%).
