THE NUMBER of calls to a helpline for parents has increased significantly in the past year, with parents growing concerned about the abusive and aggressive behaviour of their children.
Some 4,500 people called Parentline last year about issues ranging from marriage breakdowns to abusive children to stress.
This figure has increased by 10 per cent in the first nine months of this year, according to Parentline chief executive Rita O’Reilly, who said the majority of calls were from parents worried about their teenagers.
Parents with children in the 13-18 group account for 51 per cent of all calls, with more parents concerned about their sons than daughters according to figures released by the helpline ahead of National Parents Week.
The figures reveal some 54 per cent of calls are from parents concerned about their sons.
Parentline: 1890-927277 Website: parentline.ie