49% of the children spend daily at most one hour with their parents

One of two children spend daily at most one hour with their parents, according to the study ordered by Romtelecom, which is the basis of the campaign „Child, looking for time. To be spent with my parents.” launched today by the company. For further details check www.timpimpreuna.ro.

Having a tradition of almost ten years in supporting the children’s cause, Romtelecom initiates now the campaign „Child, looking for time. To be spent with my parents.” through “Romtelecom for Romanians” Foundation, with the support of The Child Line Association and of the website www.copilul.ro. The campaign aims to draw an alarm signal upon a current issue, namely the lack of time and communication in the relationship between parents and children. This issue was identified following a Romtelecom study made by Gallup at the request of Romtelecom.

„The study was initiated following the Child Helpline reports from 2009, which showed an increase in the number of calls made by children only to communicate with someone. Through this campaign we aim not only to draw attention upon a problem which, even if it doesn’t seem obvious, it affects an entire generation of future adults, but to also find together simple solutions to create “vivid” relationships between parents and children,” stated Cristina Popescu, Public Relations General Manager, Romtelecom.

The results of the study also showed that only 1 out of 4 children spends more than 5 hours with their parents during a weekend day. The parents of 38% of children play only rarely or never with them, even if this activity is the most frequently mentioned by children among their interests in the relationship between them and adults.

The most important topics for children when approaching their parents are school related (27%), future plans (10%) and usual problems, feelings and desires (9%). The little ones do rarely talk or never with their parents about their plans (31%), about their feelings (26%) or about their problems (16%).

The role of the parents-children communication is even more important as, despite the various role models the children are exposed to, be it, for example, teachers, stars, athletes or other famous people, the study highlights that the parents are by far the most valued role models for their offspring. Furthermore, the study showed that there are significant differences between the children’s expectations regarding the activities they would like to practice together with their parents and what they actually do. Thus, the expectations, which are much higher than the real experience, are mainly related to homework, trips and playing together.

A comparative regional analysis highlights that in Muntenia children have the highest interest to talk with their parents about school, as compared to the ones from the regions of Moldova or Transilvania. In addition, the study revealed that children from the rural areas have a higher interest compared to those form the urban areas in  talking about issues related to school.

”Many of today’s adults are too preoccupied to be good, responsible, providing parents, but they forget  to pay attention to what their child would really wish to receive. And they cannot find out what the child wants, if they don’t spend real,, quality time with him/her, if they don’t have the patience for him/her to ask questions. The child needs to spend separate time with each of the parents and with both of them together. When he/she cannot receive this, he/she needs at least adults with whom they can build meaningful relationships. Since birth, the child permanently seeks to connect with the others, because this is how he/she started the life, being connected to the mother for; 9 months.  When not succeeding to connect with the parents, the child  seeks affection somewhere else, and if he/she is still discouraged, will end up convinced is not good enough to be taken into account,” stated Anda Păcurar, psychotherapist, collaborator in the ongoing campaign.

A part of the children who feel lonely choose to contact the Child Helpline Association which offers counselling for children when in difficult situations. The organization is supported by Romtelecom for almost 10 years.

“The issues faced by children who call 116 111 are mostly related to their communication needs, which, when lacking can indicate various forms of abuse. We encourage the parents to listen to their children, because a “small” voice can signal a big problem. What children have to say needs to be heard. By everyone. But especially by those the children need the most: their parents,” stated Catalina Florea, Executive Director of the Child Helpline Association.

„By involving ourselves in the project  “Child, looking for time. To be spent with my parents.”  we want to encourage the parents to discover new forms of efficient and interactive communication to relate to their child. While they grow up, the children are more and more willing to express their opinions and to share their experiences, and what can be more wonderful than the moments when they find a close friend in their parents,” declared Monica Martagiu, Project Manager www.copilul.ro.

The campaign will take place between April 28th - June 15th and comprises video, audio executions, as well as a dedicated website. During the campaign, the psychotherapist Anda Pacurar will offer advises on www.timpimpreuna.ro, on the www.copilul.ro forum and during some live online meetings. The study the campaign is based on was completed on a representative sample at national level, formed by pupils from grades I-VIII, from urban and rural areas.

More details about the campaign and graphics extracted from the study are available on www.timpimpreuna.ro.

The "Romtelecom for Romanians" Foundation, created in 2008, aims to initiate projects through which it can support social causes which need a powerful voice to be uttered, heard and solved. Moreover, through this foundation, Romtelecom wishes to convey its desire of social involvement to a wider as possible public, to whom it addresses as to a partner. The foundation is a natural expansion of Romtelecom’s involvement in the welfare of the Romanian society showed in the last years through numerous projects supported by the company.

The Child Helpline Association is a non-governmental, non-profit organization with the purpose to protect children against any attempt to break their rights, against any form of abuse. The Association grants real and immediate support to children, by offering free of charge assistance through the phone line 116 111.

Copilul.ro is an information website for young mothers, which offers them the chance to interact with the community of the most curious and well informed mothers. Copilul.ro is a guide for the families who want children, a support source for pregnant women and a real help for parents looking for information and resources to improve their relation with their children and to better understand them.