Last year's inaugural National Parents' Week proved such a success that Parentline has made it an annual event.

This year's National Parents' Week will run from next Monday, October 16th, until Sunday, October 22nd, and aims to celebrate the role of parenting and provide assistance and information to any parents who may be experiencing difficulties.

Family and parent-related events will be run by sports clubs, theatres, creches, schools and support groups throughout the country. The events range from a "meet and greet with a cup of tea", to a conference, Parenting in the 21st Century, which takes place today in Wynn's Hotel, Abbey Street, Dublin 1. This is aimed at professionals who work with families. Speakers include Dr Sebastien Kraemer, a psychiatrist at the Tavistock Centre, London, and Marie Murray, director of psychology at St Vincent's Psychiatric Hospital, Dublin.

Parentline will also give a series of talks in Dublin city libraries and talk to staff in schools and large companies. For a full programme, see www.parentline.ie.