Hartnell Chanot: Divorce/Family Law Solicitors Exeter, Devon
Parenting Goes Online
Wednesday, 10 October 2007
Forget parent and teacher evenings or even mothers’ coffee mornings. Parents are going online for help with bringing up their children, according to new figures.
64% of mums and dads turn to the internet for advice on parenting issues from disciplining their children and dealing with schools to coping with teenagers and talking to them about alcohol or relationships.
In contrast just 7% of mums and dads would go to their GP for help and only 13% consider asking their children’s teachers for advice. In fact, other mums and dads or even their own parents are the main sources of offline support for modern mothers and fathers. One in three mums and dads will turn to their own parents for advice about their difficult teenagers and nearly half confide in other mothers and fathers in moments of crisis.
However, significantly many are chatting to their newfound friends online or through parenting websites, according to research carried out by the charity Parentlineplus. Most mums and dads feel being a parent is the most important job they have and they dread strangers’ criticism and judgement, one reason why so many parents avoid talking to professionals such as doctors or teachers. But every mother and father needs advice and support at some time, and they want that help to be completely non-judgemental and confidential. Out of the mums and dads who surf the net looking for help 62% go online every day, searching for advice on dozens of different problems, from how to cope with their toddler’s tantrum to dealing with a teenager’s depression.
Almost three quarters of parents who use the internet claim they log on mainly to find the answers to questions they don’t feel comfortable asking people they know. But it is vital that parents see that asking for help is a sign of strength, and as the largest independent provider of parenting support in the country, Parentline Plus understands that parenting isn’t always easy.
Parentlineplus.org.uk is packed with top parenting tips all recommended
by other parents. There is even an online community where parents
exchange thoughts and experiences of all aspects of parenting. After
all, there is no one right way to parent, family life is challenging,
and all parents need to have somewhere to turn for support during the
most difficult moments.
For more information visit www.parentlineplus.org.uk
