A new report claims that an increasing number of parents are being attacked by their children.
The shocking findings suggest that mums and dads are being subjected to aggressive behaviour, physical violence and intimidation from their kids, with mums bearing the brunts of the attacks.
The charity Parentline Plus says it received 22,537 calls over two years from mums and dads who are struggling to deal with their offspring's behaviour, with around 7,000 callers ringing about physical abuse.
The report suggests problems peak between 13-15, with both boys and girls being physically and verbally abusive.
One respondent said her 14-year-old daughter pulled doors off hinges and threatened to burn the house down when asked to tidy away her mess, whilst another claimed her 15-year-old daughter did 'exactly as she wants' returning home from school late at night and disappearing over the weekend. The mum said: 'This morning because I wouldn't take her to school and buy her some tobacco, she flew into a rage, threw everything off my sideboard, smashed a glass and ripped a towel rail off the wall, constantly swearing and telling me she ****ing hated me.'
More than 70 per cent of parents said their child was aggressive every day, with almost nine in ten saying the aggression took the form of 'angry outbursts'. Over half of children use bad language, whilst 47 per cent destroyed property, 42 per cent hurt or injured a family member. One in five parents reported 'risky' underage behaviour such as stealing or drinking.
Parents described their feelings as 'desperate, ashamed, helpless and out of control'.
The report also revealed that aggressive behaviour was linked to gangs and crime such as weapon carrying, as well as smoking and anti-social behaviour.
Parentline Plus spokesman Jeremy Todd said: 'While aggressive outbursts are a normal part of a child's development, many of the families we are in contact with are dealing with much more serious and entrenched problems. Families who find themselves unable to cope with and manage their child's physically or verbally aggressive behaviour need a range of advice and support. The stigma attached to abuse can prevent families from seeking help early, preventing the problem from spiralling out of control. We urge all parents and families battling with serious behavioural problems to seek support, for the sake of their children and their own well-being.'
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