Parenting NI Launches New Brand and Manifesto

Parents Advice Centre from today will be known as Parenting NI. The organisation called for a more coordinated approach within and across Government Departments regarding parenting policy, at an event to launch the Parenting NI manifesto. Pip Jaffa, Chief Executive Parenting NI commented,

“From the work of our organisation we are noticing trends which show that parenting in Northern Ireland is now tougher than ever. We are noticing that children are exhibiting anger and aggressive behaviour at a younger age, there are more issues arising from the negative effects of separation and divorce, we are talking with more parents about their own and their children’s emotional and mental health, and there is a rise in the contacts with parents about their child protection concerns. While emphasising the need to ensure that parents do receive appropriate support it is reassuring that parents feel able to ask for help. Parenting is a challenging role and most parents at some time need support.

"As the leading voice on parenting in Northern Ireland, we are seeing an increased requirement for our services. Being a parent is demanding. Added to this, the increased pressure of financial worries, today’s changing society and the media’s tendency to blame parents, mean parents are often under extreme pressure and need to have support to meet their needs.”

The Parenting NI manifesto calls for a series of policy changes in four areas that the organisation feels parents require the most assistance; namely, support, education, giving parents a voice and valuing parents These changes are being called for based on the indisputable fact that parents are a major influence on children’s lives.