Online help for parents' problems

Looking after children can often be difficult

Parents will soon be able to e-mail for help in bringing up their children.

The telephone advice service Parentline Plus has been granted almost £1m to set up an online version.

Children's minister Margaret Hodge announced the plan on Wednesday, saying research showed "good parenting" could raise school performance by 10%.

"Parents are the most important influence on a child's life so we must do all we can to provide them with the support and help they need," she said.

Confidential advice

"There are times when every family may need extra support."

"The festive season often highlights family problems and stresses and, for some people, it does not live up to being the happy family time that they would wish."

Ms Hodge added: "We have to give greater priority to supporting families and parents so that all children are given the best opportunity to fulfil their potential."

The grant should enable Parentline to have the e-mail service set up by February.

The charity, which takes around 200 calls a day, is the biggest independent advice service for parents in England and Wales.

Parentline Plus offers free and confidential help and advice to stressed parents, telling them where to turn for help and how to defuse emotional situations.

It is available to parents in England and Wales and can be reached on 0808 800 2222.