Being a parent can be the best experience in the world, and the worst experience in the world – it depends on the day, the age of your children, and a few hundred other variables! Whilst there is a wealth of literature out there on parenting – there isn’t one reliable “book of instructions” that we can draw on for help and advice and we’re often left relying on friends and family for support in making the right choices for, and with, our children.

So we’re not attempting to provide a parenting guide here – we just wanted to signpost some of the organisations and resources that you might find helpful as a parent – either to get support for your child, or support for yourself.

Family Lives Advice on all aspects of parenting including dealing with bullying. Phone: 0808 800 2222 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 9pm. Sat to Sun, 10am to 3pm) www.familylives.org.uk

Home-Start Home-Start is one of the leading family support charities in the UK. Home-Start volunteers help families with young children deal with the challenges they face. We support parents as they learn to cope, improve their confidence and build better lives for their children. www.home-start.org.uk/

Crysis A charity offering help and support to parents with babies who cry excessively or have sleeping problems. www.cry-sis.org.uk/

Young Minds Information on child and adolescent mental health. Services for parents and professionals. Phone: 0808 802 5544 (Mon to Fri, 9.30am to 4pm)    www.youngminds.org.uk

Reachout ReachOut is a mentoring charity working with young people in disadvantaged communities to raise aspirations and help them grow in character and attainment www.reachout.com/about/

Papyrus Young suicide prevention society. Phone: 0800 068 4141 (Mon to Fri,10am to 5pm & 7 to 10pm. Weekends 2 to 5pm) www.papyrus-uk.org

Eating Disorders Beat offers support around eating disorders Phone: 0808 801 0677 (adults) 0808 801 0711 (for under-18s) www.b-eat.co.ukwww.nationaleatingdisorders.org/ You can also find a useful interactive eating disorder questionnaire at rehab4addiction. This quiz is useful if you or a loved one is suspected of suffering from an eating disorder. https://www.rehab4addiction.co.uk/resources/eating-disorder-quiz

Support for parents of disabled children KIDS are a national charity providing a wide range of support services to disabled children, young people and their families. They support children with any disability from birth to 25 years of age. Phone:  0207 359 3635 (London) Phone: 07701 312863 (Medway/Sutton/Surrey) www.kids.org.uk/

Parents Protect A charity helping parents and carers protect children from sexual abuse and exploitation. Phone: 0808 1000 900 https://www.parentsprotect.co.uk/

NSPCC Children’s charity dedicated to ending child abuse and child cruelty. Phone:  0800 1111 for Childline for children (24-hour helpline) 0808 800 5000 for adults concerned about a child (24-hour helpline) www.nspcc.org.uk

Mencap Charity working with people with a learning disability, their families and carers. Phone: 0808 808 1111 (Mon to Fri, 9am to 5pm) www.mencap.org.uk