Immediate support
Immediate support

Relationship and family issues

Anything to do with managing relationships and family, including parenting, separation, loneliness, divorce, family and friendships.

Start a discussion

FAQ

Find answers to some of the more frequently asked questions on the Forums.

View the FAQ

Forums guidelines

Our guidelines keep the Forums a safe place for people to share and learn information.

View the guidelines
Jump to
Start a discussion

Pinned discussions

Chris_B PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING: 3 important tips to get the most out of this section
  • replies: 0

Hi everyone, The Relationships & Family Issues section is one of the busiest here on our forums. It's also one of the areas where we find members can get themselves into trouble! Before posting here, take a deep breath and be mindful of the following... View more

Hi everyone, The Relationships & Family Issues section is one of the busiest here on our forums. It's also one of the areas where we find members can get themselves into trouble! Before posting here, take a deep breath and be mindful of the following 3 tips: 1. Do you really want to share this with the world? This is a public forum. Are you thinking of posting something that could identify you to a friend or family member? Once you've posted, you can't delete what you've written and we don't take posts down from here unless they've broken one of our community rules. This is because our members spend a lot of time composing replies, and there is a much wider audience that gets a lot out of reading what has been written. It's not fair to ask the community for support, then ask to have it removed once you've read it so others can't also benefit. Use discretion when posting here - think about the level of detail you are sharing, and think also about who might know you are posting here. Also, please keep it clean: this is an all ages forum and explicit discussions about sexual problems are not permitted. Threads and posts of this nature will be removed and your account placed on a moderation hold. 2. What do you want to get out of posting here? Relationship and family issues are stressful. Members sometimes post here seeking advice about a relationship that has broken down, but find themselves getting upset when they don't agree with the response they get. This is a peer support forum, meaning we are not mental health professionals. We are people of all ages and backgrounds, with a wide range of life experiences. While we aim for our discussions to be conducted respectfully, people here will respond with the truth as they see it, from their own experiences and perspectives. We are not here to take sides. Offence is almost never intentional, but it can be sometimes taken. The advice you will see here is not intended to be a substitute for professional counselling. 3. What other support do you have? Most people posting on our forums (about any issue) use this space as a supplement to other supports. This forum is not and cannot be a substitute for offline supports, but it is often a good place to start the ball rolling and find the courage for seeking help. If you are relying solely on an internet forum to resolve your relationship or family issues, you are likely to be disappointed. Check out the Healthy Homes section of our Healthy Families website for further information and resources.

All discussions

Start a discussion

Lost_in_Auz Wife separating over anxiety disorder
  • replies: 8

My wife has been battling with generalised anxiety disorder for quite a while. It's been a tough point in our relationship but I always thought we could manage. We have been together for nearly 12 years and have a 5 year old. She has told me now she ... View more

My wife has been battling with generalised anxiety disorder for quite a while. It's been a tough point in our relationship but I always thought we could manage. We have been together for nearly 12 years and have a 5 year old. She has told me now she wants to seperate because she is happier alone. During the separation I've given her space and moved out to another accommodation (not sure if this was the mistake). Our plan was we would converse more about this while she had time to reflect. But recently she has put a wall and told me she is happier by herself and nothing will change the situation. She tells me now it's because I wasn't emotionally supportive and she was unhappy because she never felt she lived up to my expectations. I feel like her living alone for her gives her relief but only because she no longer has to face her anxiety issues. I worry that they could get worse. She has been doing professional therapy and medication. Her anxiety got to the point where she wouldn't even go out to the store, gave up on driving, lost her job over it. Through all this I was happy to keep supporting the family. I don't think I was lazy and I took care of our son and did a lot of chores. I was never abusive or a cheater and did a lot around the house on top of my job. I tried my best supporting her but it was tough juggling a job, chores and a kid and I admit I wan't always there for her. So we are seeking some professional help but I feel she has put a wall against me. Saying no to any chance to talk through these issues. I deeply care for her and it hurts me a lot that our son has to go through this. I willing to make a huge life change to help her but I don't think I am the central cause of her need to seperate. How can I just talk to her? I feel everyday that passes she grows further away. We only really talk about issues once a week because that is what we agreed on. I feel like I need to draw a line for myself as she keeps controlling every aspect of this separation.

alwaysupanddown partner struggling and closed off
  • replies: 7

hi every1, i was hoping for some advice from anybody who has been in my shoes (or the shoes of my SO) they have spoken more and more of their anxiety and depression. i ask how I can help and recommend getting help, which they have been. Each time the... View more

hi every1, i was hoping for some advice from anybody who has been in my shoes (or the shoes of my SO) they have spoken more and more of their anxiety and depression. i ask how I can help and recommend getting help, which they have been. Each time they mention their feelings or give an example, I get significant frustration from them if i offer help, general support or to listen etc. its like they want to tell me things but not hear anything back? i get told that its not fair to drag me into this, or they dont deserve me and they are shutting me out of all emotional topics... but they bring it up, i just really have nothing i can say or do that seems right any advice???? or good types of thngs to say to sum1 who is really shut off and doesnt want to open up?

Janus20 Troubled Marriage and feeling of never getting it back
  • replies: 27

Hi there, W and I met when at school, got married young and so have lived our whole adult life as “us”. We have 2 children 13 & 10. We have been married for 20 years, I realised last year that we had drifted apart and just became 2 house mates and pa... View more

Hi there, W and I met when at school, got married young and so have lived our whole adult life as “us”. We have 2 children 13 & 10. We have been married for 20 years, I realised last year that we had drifted apart and just became 2 house mates and parents to our kids. I know I have been a major part of our marriage dwindling due to my lack of communication (I know I had always been very lacking in the ability to communicate, no good at small talk or being able to engage in great conversation). I believe that W had some form of post natal depression after our second child, however she would never share what she was going through with me and Looking back, I didn’t really offer much support. We have had some Major family issues arise through the last 7-8 years, W’s sister going through a divorce (H cheated) Which W support her and took a toll, later we had the biggest shockwave of a close family member being charged with abuse of other young family members, this has being going through the. Courts on and off for 5 years with multiple court appearances which we have been dragged into

DamienD Hello and Welcome to my Nightmare
  • replies: 7

Hi. im a very seriously disturbed dysfunctional person. On the outside I appear normal but Im not. I have an extreme love addiction and sex addiction. I have anxiety, my doctor says depression too but I dont feel depressed. He says I have suicidal id... View more

Hi. im a very seriously disturbed dysfunctional person. On the outside I appear normal but Im not. I have an extreme love addiction and sex addiction. I have anxiety, my doctor says depression too but I dont feel depressed. He says I have suicidal ideation but I think thats just me trying to find a way, any way, out of my mind. The thoughts do pop up but my mind is constantly in an automatic revolving pattern of seeking solutions, analysing them and dismissing them so Im not suicidal just desperate. i pretty much crave intimacy with females, not necessarily love, faux love will do, physical intimacy works too but only if it might lead to the above. Right now Im in hell, I have no family anymore, zero friends because I only have female friends for obvious reasons and I have either slept with them and ruined it or they got married / boyfriends, I dont even have a frenemy anymore. I literally have not spoken to anyone outside of work for months except random shop assistants and the guy at my local 7/11. I dont want to be addicted to women anymore. I want to not care about them and grow vegies or something.

SJC123 I had an affair
  • replies: 8

Hi all, I’m new here... but about my story. I had affair a few years ago and lost my marriage. Went for 3 months and came clean to him to try and save things. But it became apparent quite early that he didn’t care and just wiped me. No amount of figh... View more

Hi all, I’m new here... but about my story. I had affair a few years ago and lost my marriage. Went for 3 months and came clean to him to try and save things. But it became apparent quite early that he didn’t care and just wiped me. No amount of fighting would have worked. He told everyone lies about me including the kids, was called names. You say it he did it. I know what I did was wrong. But I can’t forgive myself, the shame guilt. Having this hang over me I feel it defines me as a person and I will never be able to move forward. not really sure what I am asking. Just need to be able to live with the guilt

elsegundo2020 I'm in a serious rut right now and I really need some help. Any feedback is greatly appreciated!
  • replies: 3

Hey there everyone, I've been somewhat hesitant to post online asking about this kind of advice. I've been in a pretty bad 'rut' for a few months now. It all started to snowball when my grandfather, who I lived with (as well as my grandmother) passed... View more

Hey there everyone, I've been somewhat hesitant to post online asking about this kind of advice. I've been in a pretty bad 'rut' for a few months now. It all started to snowball when my grandfather, who I lived with (as well as my grandmother) passed away in March. To give a little bit of context, in 2017 I moved out from my parents and had decided to live with my grandparents. Between that time and now, I had secured down a job that I've been at and managed to save 20K. I have started to loose passion for the job that I am in, which is a pre-school teacher. I've been in this industry for five years now, and even when I had moved away from home I had applied for that job based off that fact that it's a job that I know and can tolerate quite easily. Well, this has been changing. I've noticed I'm loosing patience, passion, and overall drive to continue working in this field. However with this COVID situation, I have been too worried to leave this job. I worry that if I continue to tolerate it, I will continue to work in a job I don't care for and slowly drag down my mental health even farther. Last month, I also lost my other Grandmother to cancer as well. It has been hard facing the reality of death, and see how it has affected my parents. They too were not doing well mentally even before their passing. My mother had attempted suicide not long after my Grandfather passed, and she has quite an insidious drinking problem which has become worse as a way for her to cope. Whilst all this continues on, I live with my other grandmother. It is very lonely living away from friends and close family - for the only people I talk with are co-workers and my grandmother. It's been the same systematic daily routine for almost two years now, and with Pop gone - I worry about leaving her to move back down home with my parents again. Over the fathers day weekend, I came back down to visit. I've somewhat spiralled a little with some drug use, and have not returned back to my Grandmothers.. I have told work I am unwell. In reality, I don't want to return and I want for a change in my life right now. I miss my family. I just want to settle a little here for a while, and look for another career or study I could go after. I have some money saved, and I had not wanted to spend it - but would it be really a horrible thing to use some of it to get back on my feet again? I appreciate taking the time to read this, so thank you - and any feedback or advice is massively helpful.

Von is lost Insecure anxious attachment and moving on from a relationship
  • replies: 12

A guy I know from high school and I went on a few dates 2 years ago, and it didn’t work out because he started seeing someone else which was really hard for me. Recently he reached out again, and we messaged daily for about 3 months. I was wary initi... View more

A guy I know from high school and I went on a few dates 2 years ago, and it didn’t work out because he started seeing someone else which was really hard for me. Recently he reached out again, and we messaged daily for about 3 months. I was wary initially but he seemed really interested. He lives 4 hours away from me so we’ve only been able to meet up 2 times. He was going to come up to visit me last week, but he ended up not being able to because of where I’m living had a few unexplained coronavirus cases which would affect his ability to go to work. This is obviously fine, but the last thing I messaged was asking ‘do you want to stay in touch or do you think it might be too hard for us?’. He replied saying he wanted to stay in touch, but it makes him uncomfortable when I ask questions like that. I apologised and now I haven’t heard from him for a whole week. My anxiety has been playing up really badly, and my insecure attachment issues are really coming out. I feel that he’s already disappeared and that its not going to work out again. I also feel stupid for giving him another chance and abandoned. Does anyone have any advice on how to feel better? And should I accept that it’s not going to work out and just start moving on? Thank you

SarahB03 Need advice on accessing support
  • replies: 7

Hi, I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where to access some support. I have recently learnt that my teenage daughter has been self-harming and researching ways to die by suicide. My problem is that it is causing a huge amount of stress in my m... View more

Hi, I am feeling overwhelmed and unsure about where to access some support. I have recently learnt that my teenage daughter has been self-harming and researching ways to die by suicide. My problem is that it is causing a huge amount of stress in my marriage as my husband thinks she is lazy and making it up because she doesn't want to go to school. He is not open to discussion on mental health issues so I have always managed this on my own (she is currently seeing a counsellor and is making some positive progress). We have a lot of other underlying problems but for me this feels like a deal-breaker. We have been fighting a lot lately and I really want to end my marriage but am terrified of traumatising my daughter further because she already feels like this is all her fault. He is also very controlling and I need to find the right person who will be able to see through that. Thanks!

Ahjlees Am I just a notch?
  • replies: 3

Hi, My boyfriend and I have been together for a year and I’ve struggled on and off with his past. Not because he has one but partly because of what it is and partly because I don’t have one. He has had multiple ex girlfriends, a lot in my opinion, co... View more

Hi, My boyfriend and I have been together for a year and I’ve struggled on and off with his past. Not because he has one but partly because of what it is and partly because I don’t have one. He has had multiple ex girlfriends, a lot in my opinion, considering his last was very long term and he’s just turned 30. I’ve also just found out that he’s had one night stands. I don’t want to be upset by this, I accept that he has a past and I love him but it just sometimes hits me really hard that he’s been with so many other women and the only man I’ve ever known is him. I absolutely hate feeling this way and know it’s not fair on either of us. I need help. Has anyone been in a similar situation?

JJ89 Divorce guilt
  • replies: 4

I’m currently married and have been for 2 years. I’ve been with my partner for 5 years. This is his second marriage. He is 42, I am 31. He has a adult son. We have always had a rocky relationship. We have huge fights that blow up and he has been phys... View more

I’m currently married and have been for 2 years. I’ve been with my partner for 5 years. This is his second marriage. He is 42, I am 31. He has a adult son. We have always had a rocky relationship. We have huge fights that blow up and he has been physical in the past but I stayed because I loved him. The last year or so I’ve been feeling disconnected from him. I don’t have the energy to fight so don’t talk to him much. I’ve stopped giving him as much attention as he was use to. Which caused more issues. I think each time we spoke horribly to each other it chipped away At my heart and has slowest broken me. I have recently made a connection with a co worker.. he has made me see cleared what I’ve been Putting up with is not ok or normal. I want to leave my husband but when we talk about it he guilts me into staying. I feel like it’s all my fault and that I’ll break him. He has recently found out I’ve been talking to this co worker and has gone all psycho and has tried to contact my coworkers ex, her sisters, his mum to bad mouth that he’s been a shoulder for me to lean on. This makes me so mad.. he gets angry at me then 5 seconds later when I say about us not Being good for each other. He cries, says im his soulmate and he’s changed.. but think there’s been too much damage I cant move forward with him. But then feel guilty I’ve hurt him so bad and maybe I didn’t try hard enough.. I’m so lost. My friends don’t know what’s going on and my family live in different states. I feel so alone and lost.