PARENTS in the south have been quick to defend encouraging their children to achieve their potential following comments made by presenter Kirsty Young that we are becoming a nation of pushy parents.

The Desert Island Discs presenter claimed she was appalled by the “modern disease” of parents who try and live out their success through their children.

The 41-year-old mother of two said children were being “funnelled” into “areas of achievement” like extra maths classes and Chinese lessons.

But parents in Hampshire disagreed.

Jo Edwards, a mum of one from Locks Heath said: “I don’t think there is anything wrong with giving your child the best start and exposing them to as many activities and opportunities as you can.”

Gemma White, from Southampton, who has two children, said: “It isn’t easy being a parent and it seems to me you are judged or criticised no matter what you do.”

Hampshire charity Parentline Plus, which supports parents, said there was a balance to be struck when encouraging your children.

Area manager for Hampshire Leanne Hubbard said: “It is important to know the difference between what you think is best for your child and listening to what they want. The difference is supporting them in things they actually want to do and then pushing them into a range of things that are actually not very beneficial to them at all.”

Leanne said adopting a traffic-light system to reach decisions that both parents and children are happy with is important.

“The red light is the parent stopping and thinking about what they want for their child, then the amber light is listening to what your child wants and what is best for them. The green light is then coming to a compromise and finding a solution that works for both of you.”

She added that in most areas of parenting the most important thing was spending time with your children and listening to them.

“The most important thing you can give children is your time. Children are much more well adjusted if they have good relationships with their parents and so, in that respect, they will get much more out of kicking a ball around with mums and dads in the park on Sunday morning than being dropped off at a one-hour football coaching session.”