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Parenting can be tough. It can also feel isolating. However, you’re not alone. Our Family Support Service is here to help. If you’re finding parenting difficult and would like support, there are a number of programmes which can build your confidence as a parent and find solutions to everyday difficulties. How does the Family Support Service work? We work 1-1 with you and your family to identify challenges, and create strategies and solutions that will boost relationships and improve life at home.

Dad Info is run by Spurgeons, a nationwide children’s charity. Our Family Support Library is available 24/7, providing advice and tips on a variety of topics for parents. Our resources and courses also provide completely free, in-depth support. The library of advice articles is separated into categories, including: Early years Family life Teenagers Behaviour and emotions School life and bullying Bedtime and sleep Online safety SEN Mental health Separation and divorce.

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We hope you are enjoying the holidays (or will be soon) although we do know that Christmas can feel like a pressure cooker for parents. The cost of gifts, endless expectations, Elf on the Shelf antics, Christmas boxes, trees to buy! It’s a lot. If you’re feeling stressed or wondering how you’ll make it all work, that’s completely normal. The festive season often comes with unrealistic standards, but what matters most is connection, not perfection. 🎄Check in on your own mental health.

“How often do you see your kids since your divorce?” “How many nights a week am I entitled to have my children over?” “Is spending every other weekend with my child enough?” These are questions that come up time and time again from dads in our forum. They want to know what their rights are and how much time other dads are spending with their children post separation. And crucially they are worried about what impact the contact arrangements will have on their relationship with their children.

As adults we are well aware that being in an unhealthy relationship can negatively affect our wellbeing. So naturally, we want our children to enjoy healthy relationships, where they feel secure and supported. But this can feel tricky to navigate, if our own childhood or adult experiences have left us wounded ourselves. So, here’s how to improve a child’s social skills and relationships with their peers: Jane Cekic at Spurgeons runs many support groups for parents who have been in this situation.

Divorce is undeniably tough. Whether you saw it coming or it hit you out of the blue, it can leave you feeling like you’re suddenly without solid ground. As fathers, we’re often expected to keep it together, but when family life changes this drastically, it’s hard for anyone to stay unaffected. Amidst all the upheaval, one thing many people overlook is that it doesn’t have to be a battle. Divorce mediation offers a way to sort things out without going through the courtroom wringer.

If your child seems exasperated when their drawing hasn’t gone ‘right’, or gets frustrated because their school performance isn’t perfect, they may be a perfectionist. Perfectionism in children is common, and can be seen as a positive trait, as it spurs the child to do their best. However, it can lead to self-criticism and being hard on themselves. In extreme cases, it can lead to self-harm and anxiety.

Charles and Tina Parker Charles and Tina Parker, parents of their autistic child Chris, have a wealth of experience in bringing up a child with severe autism. Keen to share their journey with other parents, they have published a series of “tell it as it is” books. The latest focuses on their battle to secure supported living for their son Chris.

For kids who stammer, expressing themselves can prove frustrating and upsetting, and they may struggle with low self-esteem as a result. So, what causes stammering, what what do parents need to know? What is a stammer? A stammer (or stutter) is difficulty speaking, and making sounds. Here are some interesting facts: Around 3% of adults stammer, and 8% of kids. Stammering is much more common in boys than girls- around 75% of stammers are in boys.