UK Parents are Bottling Up Common Concerns
CALPOL® and the NSPCC, the UK’s leading children’s charity, celebrate 5 years of partnership with the launch of “Don’t Bottle It Up”, a campaign dedicated to encouraging parents and carers to ‘Unbottle’ their concerns and seek help no matter how big or small the problem feels. The event welcomes representatives from the charity’s Helpline, a dedicated service that offers support and advice to adults as well as a place to share concerns about a child’s safety or wellbeing.
Research commissioned by CALPOL® has revealed that parents in the UK are bottling up common concerns around parenting.
More than 4 in 5 Brits (84%) reveal that becoming a parent is one of the best things to ever happen to them, and 33% state watching their young child’s personality develop and the cuddles are some of their favourite things about being a parent. However, 65% revealed that becoming a parent has at times taken a toll on their own mental well-being and with nearly 40% believing that the years before 3 years old will pose the greatest mental impact, highlighting the importance for parents to prioritise their surrounding support systems.
According to the poll, 41% state they would advise new parents to not be afraid to ask for help. The old age saying of ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ is undoubtedly true for many parents!
The research also found that:
· Nearly half (47%) believed they weren’t in a good place financially when they first had their child.
· With the added pressures outside influences like social media, two thirds of parents (66%) felt the pressure to ‘bond’ with their baby or child straight away.
· 44% stated that they felt the most confident in their parenting skills once their child was above the age of 4.
· 61% of participants felt that they had a strong support network to help raise their child, whereas 35% felt like they didn’t have enough support.
· Both men and women were discovered to state the emotional toll of parenting, with 17% having a lack of support and resources during the first six months of parenthood.
The impact of children’s online usage was also explored, and the research revealed that 36% parents worry about how much time children between the ages of 0- 13 years old spend online, spotlighting the array of common concerns parents face surrounding online usage.
Kam Thandi, Head of the NSPCC Helpline said: “Parenting can look different to everyone. Whether you have learnt your parenting behaviours from previous generations or have formed your own individual parenting style, a strong support network really goes a long way, so it’s just as important to look after your own mental health as well as your child’s wellbeing. The NSPCC Helpline is here if you are looking for guidance and support on any issues affecting children. Whatever it is you’re worried about, our dedicated child protection specialists will be able to advise and take any necessary action, to help children have a brighter future”.
To encourage parents and carers to “Unbottle” their worries, CALPOL® and the NSPCC Helpline, alongside renowned parenting experts, are hosting an honest and open online panel discussion on Monday 10th July, 12pm – 1pm looking at the journey of parenthood and what worries and concerns parents tend to bottle up, with a focus on financial pressures, mental health, keeping children safe online and baby bonding.
“We know that parents often “bottle up” their worries due to fear of judgement. We want to create a community whereby parents and caregivers feel supported and heard, no matter what the problem may be.” says Dr. Amit Patel. “This panel discussion is just the start, and we encourage you to spread the word and get involved – to give children a brighter future”.
To learn more and participate for free in the expert panellist discussion visit here.
*based on a survey of 1,300 UK parents of 0-13 year olds conducted between 16th to 23rd May 2023.
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