Parenting
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PARENTING TIPS AND SUPPORT
All mothers and most fathers have legal rights and responsibilities as a parent - known as ‘parental responsibility’. Find out more about what this means here.
You can choose how to make arrangements for looking after your children if you separate from your partner. Find out more here.
Find out key points of being a good parent.
There is lots of support available to help you if you are a parent. Find out more by clicking the link.
Many parents with mental health problems can care for their children in a safe and loving way. But sometimes, you might need extra support from family, friends or healthcare professionals to get you through difficult times. There’s no shame in needing extra help as a parent, whatever the reasons for it.
Parenting can be rewarding, but it can also be challenging. The NSPCC have got parenting tips for all stages of your child's life, as well as advice on how to deal with difficult situations.
This resource gives you some fun and easy tips to help you bring even more Look, Say, Sing and Play into your daily routine with your baby from birth to age 2. All you have to do is sign up for the weekly tips with your email address and give your baby's date of birth or due date, and the tips will match up to your baby's stage of development. There's also a video playlist of tips on YouTube that you can access!
There are lots of fun services and activities in Leeds to help support and develop your child in their early years. To search for local services and activities, use the links on this page.
SUPPORT FOR SINGLE PARENTS
If you're bringing up a child on your own, do not be afraid to ask for help from friends and family. You may also find that other single parents are a good source of support.
Gingerbread provide support for lone/single parents whilst campaigning for equal rights and fair provision for those parenting alone. You can call them on 0808 802 0925.
SPECIALIST AND CRISIS SUPPORT
Women’s Health Matters champions freedom for disadvantaged women and girls in Leeds so they may have a fair chance at a better life. These women are most at risk, including those experiencing domestic violence, sexual and emotional abuse, those with children in care or at risk of being removed, young mums, women seeking asylum, women with learning disabilities, and women with complex needs or mental health and wellbeing needs. Visit the website to find out more about the many services available.
Support for parents and other family members whose children are involved with or need social care services. You can call them on 0808 801 0366.
Call Young Minds’ Parents Helpline for detailed advice, emotional support and signposting about a child or young person up to the age of 25. You can call them for free on 0808 802 5544 from 9:30am-4pm, Monday-Friday.
Family Lives provides targeted early intervention and crisis support to families. If you need to talk, they’re here to listen. You can call them on 0808 800 2222.
Home-Start is a local community network of trained volunteers and expert support helping families with young children through their challenging times.
If your child has been diagnosed with an illness, disability or sensory impairment and needs a lot of additional support on a daily basis, they're described as having "complex needs". Find out more here.