Agony aunts to cheer up UK's children

They are more used to dealing with questions such as: "I only want an affair with him but he hesitates – what do you think?" But now a group of the media's so-called agony aunts have put themselves forward to help a government initiative to improve the welfare of children and parents.

Since Unicef, the UN children's charity, reported last year that British youngsters were the unhappiest in the Western world, government ministers have been on the back foot about how children are cared for in the UK.

As a result, 29 of the contributors supplying answers to people's everyday problems in national newspapers and on television will be attending what the Department for Children, Schools and Families calls a "relationships summit" next week. They will include Dirty Deidre Sanders, of The Sun, who has been answering readers' problems since 1980.



According to the Children's Secretary, Ed Balls, the group approached his department to offer it the benefit of its members' skills. They believe that by helping parents sort out any problems they are having with their spouse or partner, they will also be giving children more stable home lives so that they do better at school.

"We are funding the summit," Mr Balls said. "The idea is to produce a guide for parents which will help them with their relationship difficulties which would provide a more stable environment for their children while they are at school."

Here are some tips from The Sun's agony aunt Dirty Deidre Sanders for the "Kids In The Middle" campaign, which is aimed at easing the pressure on children if their parents have separated.

* "The following guidelines on how to protect [your children] from the worst are straightforward. They demand your patience but, as a result, your children won't give you such a tough time and will grow up happier and more balanced than they would if caught up in your battles."

* "Try to keep rows away from the children, but be as honest as you can be with them."

* "Don't try to pretend nothing is wrong. Say you and your partner aren't getting on but emphasise – so long as it's true – that you both love them."

* "Keep spelling out that it isn't their fault. Many children blame themselves for their parents' relationships breaking down."

* "Give them lots of cuddles and ask how they feel."

* "Tell their schools what is going on so that they recognise behavioural changes as signs of distress, not rebellion."