Children need their parents.
Parents are the most important people in a child’s life.
Everyone is considered a child until they have turned 18.
And all children are equal and have the same rights.
Children have the right to grow up in a safe environment and go to school.
They have the right to their culture and language.
And no child can be discriminated against or subjected to violence or threats.
This is part of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Convention is a collection of rules on children’s rights
that most countries agree on,
and it is Swedish law.
As a parent, you protect your children from danger
and from things that can harm them.
Within your family, you, the parent, are responsible
for providing your children with what they
need to be happy and healthy, to grow and develop and feel safe.
But it isn’t always easy to be a parent.
Sometimes you don’t feel like you have all the answers.
You might feel worried and uncertain,
and you might not always know what to do.
Many times, friends and relatives can support you.
But sometimes you need help from social services –
or “soc”, as some people say.
Social services are provided by all municipalities in Sweden.
They employ social workers and other professionals
who help struggling families and their children.
Social services work with families who want help and support.
If a family is having difficulties,
it’s important for them to get help early on,
to solve problems before they become too big.