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Information » Family & Relationships » Being a Parent

Becoming a parent is not about having a cute baby to play with or fitting in with the crowd. It changes your life forever, changes how you manage and spend your money, changes your lifestyle and is one of the most special and challenging decisions you can ever make.

Becoming a Mum or a Dad represents a lifelong commitment, and this can feel overwhelming having to take on the responsibilities of bringing up a child.

Love comes naturally to most parents, but everyone faces difficulties at some point or another - from babies who won't sleep at night and toddlers who throw tantrums.

Most people manage these emotional and practical challenges of parenting with a mixture of love, help from relatives and friends, good advice, common sense and luck. But if you feel you need some professional advice on raising children, then a parenting class might be for you.

You can also refer to this section for information, advice and support, ranging from pregnancy and giving birth, to looking after toddlers and starting your child’ s school education.

Organisations

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  Parentline Plus

  UK charity offering free confidential help, advice and support to any parent 0808 800 2222 Free text-phone number: 0800 783 6783

  www.parentlineplus.org.uk/templates/home/index.cfm

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  MEIC

  Information, advice and support for your life. Free. Confidential. For you / Gwybodaeth, cyngor a chefnogaeth i dy fywyd. Am ddim. Cyfrinachol. I ti.

  www.meiccymru.org/

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  Raising Kids

  Practical tips on raising children from babies to teenagers

  www.raisingkids.co.uk/homepages/homepage_default.asp

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  NHS Direct

  Confidential medical advice 24 hours a day from a registered nurse 0845 46 47

  www.nhsdirect.wales.nhs.uk/