More than half of mums in Northern England say money worries are affecting their relationships with their children, new figures reveal.
And even more say financial concerns are putting a strain on their relationship with their loved one.
In a poll conducted by Turn2us and Home-Start on the parenting website Mumsnet, 55% of mums said their relationship with their children was affec
ted by money worries and this rose to 62% for mums with a low family income of £28,000 or less
And 52% of mums with a low family income said they were sometimes grumpy and snappy with their children because of money worries with 13% even saying they felt their children resent them because they are unable to afford to buy them what they want.
Mumsnetters who completed the survey also said money worries affect their relationships with their other halves, including 80% of mums with a low family income. 53% said they often argued about money worries and 26% said they do not get to spend enough quality time together because one of them is always working with 28% unable to go out on their own together because they cannot afford to pay for a babysitter.
Of those who completed the survey in Northern England 82% of Mumsnetters with a low family income said they felt guilty about the upbringing of their children. And 39% said this was because they could not afford to pay for their children to take part in the same activities as their friends and 23% said it was because they did not have the money to allow their children to keep up with the latest fashions and gadgets.
The survey also revealed that in the last year nearly two thirds of Mumsnetters have found it hard to cover the cost of their day to day living expenses and 76% of those with a low family income in Northern England have had to make cut backs.
This includes 51% who have had to cut back on buying their children new clothes and 18% having to cut back on buying fresh fruit and vegetables for their children.
This had led to 45% of mums in Northern England with a low family income having to rely on overdrafts and 44% having to borrow from friends and family to get by.
Turn2us, who commissioned the survey with Home-Start, helps people understand the often complex world of benefits and grants through its free to use website.
Director Alison Taylor said: "Many of the families who visit Turn2us are struggling to pay their bills and put food on the table, let alone pay for luxuries like babysitters.
"Mums face enormous pressures in their day-to-day lives but we would like to remind mums in financial need that there is help out there and they should visit the Turn2us website to make sure they are claiming all the benefits and grants they are entitled to."
Turn2us, has also teamed up with Home-Start, who offer emotional and practical support to families with at least one child under the age of five. The Home-Start volunteers are to be trained to offer personalised support to the families they already visit to help them find grants and benefits available to them.
Kay Bews, Chief Executive of Home-Start UK, said: "Home-Start volunteers will not be shocked by these results as many of the mums they visit have financial worries which consequently impact on their day-to-day lives, affecting their relationships with those closest to them.
"We would urge mums in financial need not to suffer alone but seek the help that is available to them."
For further help contact
www.turn2us.org.uk and
www.home-start.org.uk.