Children from middle class families call just to talk as parents are too busy with work

Child counsellor Anuradha Sahastrabuddhe is grappling with a difficult situation of explaining to a seven year old child why she should communicate more to her real mother. Anuradha has been playing 'aunty' to a small girl, who calls Childline, a 24-hour helpline for children in Pune meant to take distress calls.

The child wants someone to hear her poems but her mother works long hours and has left her in a maid's care.
This is not a one-off case. Out of the 25,000 calls that the helpline receives a majority of the calls are from children of middle class families whose parents are too busy with their hectic schedules. "This is not a good sign; these children need their parents and not us. They call us because they are just looking for someone to speak to and share their joys with. However, with parents working and no one to speak to they are turning to such helplines," said Anuradha.

The popularity of Childline has not only highlighted cases of abuse but also raised questions about parenting. The children call the first time and realise someone will listen to them instead of policing them.

Swati Popat, founder-director of Podar Education Network says, "Children often complain that parents are interested in marks, scores and discipline. They are concerned only with the end result. While this is true, parents need to comfort their children and make them believe that they are interested in more than just marks."

Ravi Shahani who operates EuroKids in Wanowrie further added, "Parents busy with their jobs buy their children things to keep them happy. Respect for choices and showing interest is important for the children."