Ferrying the kids around, having a boss who breathes down your neck – and the daily stress of running a family home, have emerged among a list of things the older generation DO NOT miss about being younger, according to a new study.

Worrying about your weight, being woken up by the sound of an alarm clock, and the constant juggle of work and childcare also emerged as aspects of life the nation’s retirees are MORE than happy to have left behind. Researchers polled adults aged 60 and over and asked them to list the life activities they do not hanker after, including sitting exams, worrying about what people think of you, cooking meals for the family every night – and waiting for pay day. Ironing school uniforms on a Sunday night and hosting the family Christmas were also we are glad to see the back of in our golden years.

Of those polled, 87 percent said, although they enjoyed their youth and miss certain aspects of it – they are just as happy now as they ever were, with nearly two thirds (63 percent) saying they are happier now than they have ever been. More than half said their relationship with their spouse was at its best now – with half saying it was due to not having the stress of work and running a family home. Nearly three quarters of those polled said they were happy with what they had achieved in life with marriage, children, owning a home and travelling the world among the biggest accomplishments.

A spokesman for retirement housebuilder, McCarthy & Stone who commissioned the survey of 1,500 over 60s, said: “Many of the things the older generation don’t miss involve work – and that comes as no surprise. We are all looking forward to the day we don’t have to endure the commute to the office and deal with the stresses that our jobs place on us.

“But it is interesting to see the stress of running a family home and the struggle to get on the property ladder also both made the list of things older people DON’T miss about being young. For many, getting older means downsizing and that’s a welcome move.”

Of those polled, 28 percent have already downsized with nearly nine in ten retirees claiming it has made life much easier. A quarter went as far to say it’s the best thing they ever did and they wish they had done it sooner. Other plus points of selling-up the family home for a smaller property included cheaper utility bills, less DIY and maintenance and not being put upon to host all the big family parties. Freeing up equity in the home and having a better social life were also listed as benefits of downsizing according to the over 60s.

The poll found 67 was the perfect age to downsize; but of those who haven’t, four in ten said they can’t face the upheaval of a move. And 15 percent said their current property has many emotional ties. A spokesman for McCarthy & Stone added: “Deciding on when to downsize takes a lot of consideration. It’s a big step, but once the decision has been made many retirees have a whole new lease of life.

“We continually receive feedback from McCarthy & Stone homeowners on how moving to a Retirement Living development has helped them to lead an independent and activity lifestyle. They have no worries about safety and security and all the benefits of being in a community of like-minded individuals – no wonder they are enjoying all the freedom our later years can bring!”

WHAT THE OVER 60S DO NOT MISS ABOUT BEING YOUNG

1. Being at work five days a week
2. Having to get up to an alarm clock
3. Having to be up and out the house at a certain time
4. Revising for and sitting exams
5. Enduring the daily commute to work
6. Financial worries
7. Having to dress suitably for work everyday
8. Having to spend your working week with people you don’t like
9. Having a boss who breathes down your neck
10. Getting children up and ready for school
11. Juggling work and family commitments
12. Waiting for pay day
13. Tidying up after the children all day long
14. Worrying about what other people think
15. Having awkward first dates
16. Never having a lie-in
17. Ironing school uniforms on a Sunday night
18. Not being confident in myself
19. Packing everything but the kitchen sink for family holidays
20. Struggling to get on the property ladder
21. Juggling afterschool activities and parents evening etc
22. The stress of running a family home
23. Worrying so much about my looks
24. Worrying so much about what the scales say
25. Cooking large family meals every night
26. Competitiveness amongst friends
27. Having to do DIY at the weekends
28. Cooking several different meals for the family every night
29. Doing a big weekly food shop
30. Having to host the family Christmas
31. Having to socialise with other parents
32. Spending all day staring at a screen
33. Being called out as an emergency service when kids breakdown