With thousands of teens and their parents anxiously awaiting exam results on Thursday, Hatfield s parenting charity Parentline Plus is offering some stress-busting tips. It can be a fraught time for all the family - brothers and sisters included - in the

With thousands of teens and their parents anxiously awaiting exam results on Thursday, Hatfield's parenting charity Parentline Plus is offering some stress-busting tips.

It can be a fraught time for all the family - brothers and sisters included - in the build-up to going to collect those results from school or waiting for them to be delivered to your home or even emailed out.

Now Parentline Plus, which operates a free confidential, 24-hour Parentline 0808 800 2222, has put together some top tips to help families cope.

Parentline Plus' Sandra Hiller said: "Waiting for exam results can be an exciting time for some, while for others it's terrifying.

"It's a testing time all round in the home, with teenagers, parents and even brothers and sisters feeling the strain.

"Everyone can feel like they are walking on eggshells.

"Arguments can flare up from nowhere, and parents feel they hardly see their teenagers, who are either camped out in their bedrooms or at friends' houses.

"On top of all of this, parents may be feeling anxious about whether or not they should discuss what to do when the results arrive or leave this subject well alone.

"It's natural for young people in this situation to feel on edge and unhappy. Parents do need to talk with their children about their feelings, and the choices and options facing them.