GREATER FINANCIAL pressure in daily life is causing an increasing number of parents to call confidential parenting phone services, according to new figures released yesterday.
An analysis of calls to Parentline shows that more than 4,000 families were supported by the service in the last 10 months.
With two months to go in the year, it already marks an increase on 2010 when the figure was just over 3,900 families.
According to Parentline chief executive Rita O’Reilly, the figures reflect a clear need for support services for parents who, she says, are facing increased pressures in their daily lives, particularly due to the recession and financial crisis.
“The service allows parents to have space and somebody to share their concerns with in absolute confidence without judgment,” she said.
Parentline is 30 years old and its primary aim is to give parents time and attention to offload stress.
According to the figures released by the organisation yesterday, one of the biggest causes of concern for parents is abuse, accounting for 11 per cent of total calls in the last 12 months.
More than one-fifth (22 per cent) of calls related to “teenage issues” including anger, aggression, discipline, and staying out late. Some 8 per cent complained that their teenagers were “out of control”.
Of the calls received, 7 per cent concerned addiction issues with 3 per cent reporting their children had alcohol problems.
Another 3 per cent said they were worried about their children’s use of drugs.
Marriage and relationship problems also emerged as a factor causing concern; 2 per cent of calls were from parents worried over child access issues.
The survey was published ahead of the launch of Parents’ Week, which runs from today until Sunday.
It is designed to celebrate the job that parents do and also aims to recognise the support that organisations offer to families and to encourage more families to avail of services provided in their area.
The analysis of calls found that mothers are far more likely to use confidential parenting services than fathers, with 82 per cent of calls in the last year coming from women, compared to just 18 per cent from men.
“The figures show that in most cases it is mothers who are the ones who reach out to seek help. Fathers are slower to come forward and we would encourage them to call too,” said Ms O’Reilly.
“Parents can be extremely distressed by the behaviour of their children, and often feel they have nowhere to turn. That is where the value of a confidential listening service comes in.”
She added that if parents made an effort to relieve their own stress, this would in turn have the effect of reducing stress in a household, allowing for a happier environment all around.
Ms O’Reilly encouraged parents to “explain to their children why they are feeling stressed” and to discuss with them ways to improve the matter.
See parentline.ie; Parentline helpline 1890-927277