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Christmas may
be a time for giving, but parents struggling to meet the demands
of their children’s never-ending wish-lists are being urged
by national charity Parentline Plus, not to give in to pester
power.
Designer clothes,
playstation games and mobile phones can over-stretch the family
budget and research shows that lone parents spend almost as
much on their children as married parents, to protect their
children from poverty.
Even though the
Government has announced moves to ban some TV advertising
aimed at children before the 9pm watershed, many parents still
feel under considerable pressure to meet their children’s
demands. In response Parentline Plus is offering tips for
parents under pressure and asks ‘how will you deal with ‘pester
power’ this Christmas?’
‘It can feel good
to spoil your child with expensive gifts and it’s hard to
say no sometimes’, says Dorit Braun, Chief Executive for Parentline
Plus ‘but parents can actually help their kids see they can’t
always have everything, while at the same time not being flippant
with their wants and feelings.’
Parentline Plus
receives thousands of calls every year to its free 24 hour
helpline – 0808 800 22 22 - many of which are from parents
at Christmas, feeling guilty for not being able to afford
everything their children want. The charity has the following
top tips for parents battling with pester power this year:
- Don’t feel
guilty for not having a bottomless purse.
- When you say
no mean it, and don’t cave in to pressure. Remember you
are saying no for a reason.
- Explain why
the answer is no e.g. you can’t afford it. If you have older
children it is important to be firm. Don’t give them an
opportunity to haggle with you.
Parents wanting
more information on dealing with pester power can call the
Parentline Plus confidential 24hr free helpline on 0808 800
2222, e-mail parentsupport@parentlineplus.org.uk
or log on to www.parentlineplus.org.uk
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