PARENTS are being offered advice on how to meet the challenge of dealing with their teenage children's growing pains.

Relate - the relationship support organisation - is running a course called "Riding the Storm", covering the subject, in Kidderminster next month. Parents Matter, a parenting project sponsored by Worcestershire Children's Fund, is working with Relate to co-ordinate support services in the county.

Linda Nicklin, development co-ordinator for Parents Matter, said: "In a survey last year, Worcestershire parents told Parents Matter that they felt there was not enough help for parents of older children - especially those with teenagers.

"They also said that they would welcome more opportunities to meet with other parents to discuss parenting issues and to offload as a way of feeling less isolated and to gain back their confidence in parenting at this important time for the young people.

"The Relate Riding the Storm courses have been run all over the country, with very positive feedback from parents."

The course - free to parents or carers of teenagers - will be limited to 12 places, offered on a first come, first served basis. Registration is open until Friday, January 27, by contacting Parents Matter on 0800 587 5980.

Oldington and Foley Park Centre will be the venue for the course, which could run for between eight and 10 weeks, depending on take-up, from 10am until noon each week.