Sir, - While this may be the "season to be jolly", many parents are experiencing great difficulty from continuing demands and pressures. The stress builds up as they endeavour to produce the perfect Christmas for all, sometimes exploding with dire consequences.
There are single parents, lonely and isolated, trying their utmost to make Christmas for their children. For them the "season of good will" means continual exclusion from their family home and non-acceptance of their parenting status.
Parentline, an anonymous telephone help-line for parents under stress, is aware of the stresses. Since the Christmas season began in late October our calls have trebled. We would appreciate the opportunity of informing your readers that our help-line (018733500) will remain open over the long holiday period including Christmas Eve from 10 am to 6 pm. - Yours, etc., Valerie Smith, Administrator, Parentline,
North Brunswick Street, Dublin 7.