GROWING up can be hard for children but worrying about and supporting young people as they traverse their daily lives can be difficult for parents too.

As parents we strive to ensure our children are healthy, happy and supported. We want to protect them, and that can cause us to feel anxious when we consider what many people are currently facing. The cost-of-living crisis, the developing online world and long wait times for mental health support may negatively impact our young ones and make an already difficult period of their lives even harder.

A new NSPCC survey, completed by over 2,000 adults in the UK, found 75per cent of parents with children under five felt anxious about their child’s emotional health and wellbeing. More than half parents with children aged six to 11 and almost half with children aged 11-17 said the same.

One parent told our Helpline: “I don’t know how to help my little girl. She gets extremely upset and angry about even the smallest things. She has such big emotions but she’s only four and struggles to explain how she’s feeling. This isn’t like the tantrums she had when she was younger, it makes me worry for her mental wellbeing.”

The new poll also found that more than half of parents believed parenting was harder now than when they were growing up. There was a 21per cent increase in contacts to the NSPCC Helpline last year compared to the previous 12 months from parents concerned about their child’s mental health.

These figures highlight that children’s emotional and mental wellbeing is especially worrying for parents with children under five. Parents with young children are thirsty for information about infant mental health and support with early childhood development.

This week we launched a campaign, with TV advertising, and refreshed advice on the NSPCC website to remind families that we’re here for them. Sometimes being a parent isn’t easy, so it’s important to know where to turn to for support. Our survey found more than half of parents relied on advice from family and two in five relied on friends. Parents and carers tell us that raising their families is becoming increasingly difficult. With the help of the new advice on our website and the NSPCC Helpline, together we can work towards ensuring that our children have happy, healthy futures.

Call our Helpline on 0808 800 5000 if you have concerns about the welfare of a child or would like advice as a parent, or email help@nspcc.org.uk. Visit nspcc.org.uk