New parents feeling lonely
A quarter of all parents feel lonely and isolated according to new findings by charity Action for Children.
The research of more than 2,000 parents has unearthed what the organisation describes as a ‘shocking scale’ of loneliness amongst families.
And the importance of a good support network has been highlighted by the charity as being particularly crucial to improving the situation, with more than half of parents in England saying it is valuable to have friends who are also parents to avoid feeling ‘cut off’ from the rest of society.
The revelations by Action for Children support research conducted by Lancaster University about the importance of friendships amongst women who have entered motherhood.
From playgroup parents to school-gate mums, most women have found themselves part of new friendship groups after the arrival of their children.
The Lancaster University study has found that having children is the single most significant factor in altering women's friendships - for better and for worse.
Sociologist Dr Anne Cronin, who led the research, said: "Having children, or having friends who had children, radically changes women's friendship groups.
"Women make connections with other women through antenatal groups, playgroups, school, etc, and these friendships are very different from other friendships women have because they're very much based on shared experiences and difficulties.”
Action for Children agrees, saying that parents require friendship groups who can share the enjoyable aspects of parenting as well as helping with the most gruelling.
Jan Leightley, managing director of operations, said: “Having a network that you can call on is vital, to help celebrate your child’s achievements and share those funny moments or the tougher times, which all parents face.
“Local services like children’s centres can offer a real lifeline to parents who feel isolated – somewhere to meet and make friends. Staff there won’t judge if you drop in looking for support, and you can take part in activities like play sessions or parenting classes.”
