Being a parent is both challenging and rewarding but it takes a lot of hard work and you will need support, advice and information.

Families come in all shapes and sizesetting

Families come in all shapes and sizes. As well as parents, grandparents, foster carers, stepparents, relatives and friends, all contribute in raising children.

As a family you will face a range of issues from having a new baby, toddler tantrums, to issues such as sleep or eating patterns, school, homework or behaviour problems with teenagers, maybe starting a new relationship and possible disagreements in the family,

Help4Me is a powerful online directory that allows anyone to search for services available to children, young people, families and professionals in your local area and across the North West, quickly and simply.

www.help4me.info

Parenting - instructions not included!

Parenting is not something you can really teach, although there are many courses, manuals and classes available, it is really a skill you have to learn through experience.  But it is good to know that there is actually a wealth of literature, support and advice available.  There is no one right way to parent.  You are not alone as there are millions of parents and families out there all with different experiences to share.

In Liverpool there are a number of parenting classes that are available to help you learn skills to help you parent.
Parentline Plus is a national charity that works for, and with, parents.  They offer help and support through a range of free services - shaped by parents for parents.

0808 800 2222      www.parentlineplus.org.uk
 

Breaking Up

Sometimes parents are just not able to stay together.  The main thing any parent can do, even one going through relationship problems is to ensure that they provide support and time for the children.  That they ensure access arrangements, childcare, telling the school, seeing in-laws, birthday and Christmas arrangements are all put in place.

You need to work out your next steps after a separation and understand what family mediation is by contacting an organisation such as Advice Now or the National Family Mediation organisation:

01392 271610    www.advicenow.org.uk/familymediation
                               www.nfm.org.uk
 

Lone Parents

As lone parents, there can be stress and anxiety levels and real challenges to face.  The national service Gingerbread can offer advice and support and One Parent Families

0808 8020925    www.gingerbread.org.uk

Parents with Disabilities

If you are planning to become a parent or take on parenting responsibilities, you may feel you need extra support to look after your child.  Your local council, including social services, health and education departments, can offer this support.

The Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) covers many areas of everyday life, including access to goods and services and you may need to understand how the DDA can help you for example in requesting adjustments to help you participate in parenting cases.

If you receive Disability Living Allowance and your care needs change as a result of your parenting role, you should contact the Disability Living Allowance helpline:

08457 123 456
08457 22 44 33 (textline)

When your child has special needs

If you have any concerns about your child then talk to your doctor as getting help as early as possible will make a big difference to your child’s development.  Children with physical disabilities, impairments or learning difficulties and their parents need help through additional resources, information and emotional support.

Contact a Family provides support, advice and information for families with children with special needs, no matter what their condition or disability:

0808 808 3555  0808 808 3556 (textphone)      www.cafamily.org.uk