Dear Editor,
Re: summer holidays can be tough time for some children.
Summer holidays for most children are a time to relax and have fun with family and friends. However, for some children, the end of school term and the long summer break can unfortunately be very stressful and difficult because of problems within their families.
Last year, the NSPCC’s Childline service delivered more than 550 counselling sessions with children contacting them from Northern Ireland where the young person’s main concern was an issue with their family relationships.
Behind mental and emotional health, family relationships are the second-most frequent reason why young people contact Childline and in many of the counselling sessions, the child talked about seeing and hearing family arguments and conflict.
Some of them said that listening to their parents argue made them feel scared, upset and tearful and talked about retreating to their bedrooms to get away from the conflict and to feel safe.
Others said their parents were separating and divorcing and that they felt caught in the middle of arguments about living arrangements and custody.
For many of these children, school can provide a sanctuary from issues in the home which then become inescapable during the long summer holiday.
Childline is available 24/7 by phone or online to listen and support children who find themselves in this situation.
Children can contact Childline by phone on 0800 1111 or online at: childline.org.uk
Your sincerely,
Mairead Monds,
( Childline Manager, Northern Ireland ).
