Almost half of helpline's 7,000 calls in 2025 come from parents afraid of their children

'Many parents are fearful. They talk about spending the festive season walking on eggshells.' File photo

Ireland’s national parent support helpline has taken approximately 7,000 calls this year, many from parents who are afraid of their children. 

Parentline chief executive Aileen Hickie said the increased time parents spend with their children is “like a pressure cooker” over the festive holiday period.