Relationship and family issues

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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.

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WWoman Knowing what you know now, would you enter a relationship with a person suffering from depression
  • replies: 1

Hi all I met the nicest guy. Everything is great, connection, communication, sex, my family loves him everything is great. We've been together for 8 months now. The only problem is he suffers from depression. He gets really down and feels like everyt... View more

Hi all I met the nicest guy. Everything is great, connection, communication, sex, my family loves him everything is great. We've been together for 8 months now. The only problem is he suffers from depression. He gets really down and feels like everything is too much and withdraws from me for a day or two. This week he wants time apart to think things through but then turns around and says he doesn't want to lose me and we should be able to work something out. I really like him and I think he is amazing and I am willing to support him where I can but I understand I cannot make him happy and I cannot change anything for him. That will come from him. I want honest feedback from people who have dealt with this for years please. Knowing then what you know now, would you have stayed in your relationship with a person with depression or would you get out? Does the good outweigh the bad times or does it get too much too handle and affects other areas of your life like your kids, work etc... Would love to hear from both sides and I will not judge. I am a bit lost myself and not sure what to do. Thanks xx

Arnya Marriage over after 26 years.
  • replies: 24

This is the hardest thing I've had to do ever. I made an appointment to see a health professional. My husband and I have not spoken a word to each other in 2 months. We live in separate parts of the house. I'm still here because I have my grandson he... View more

This is the hardest thing I've had to do ever. I made an appointment to see a health professional. My husband and I have not spoken a word to each other in 2 months. We live in separate parts of the house. I'm still here because I have my grandson here as well and just cannot afford to move out. It's horrendous to say the least! It's like now I'm not living, I'm existing. I sleep a lot when I'm not working. Trying to keep it together for the sake of my grandson. Trying to find work is impossibly frustrating. It's just getting worse day by day. He is a narcissist and I cannot believe I never really noticed it. So gradual. So here I am not sure what to do.

Tonyl testing times
  • replies: 2

hi guys - this is my first time posting . have been married for 12 amazing years, my wife and I have two fantastic kids together . we run a successful business together as well. at this point I do want to point out that I think my wife is amazing , s... View more

hi guys - this is my first time posting . have been married for 12 amazing years, my wife and I have two fantastic kids together . we run a successful business together as well. at this point I do want to point out that I think my wife is amazing , she to me is stunning I wold not have it any other way. We are a normal couple, we have our ups and downs. I always make a effort for her every night , tell her I love her , kiss her good night , I dress up make myself smell good look good , do as much as I can in the household etc I take the initicive to buy her flowers and make a effort in the relationship. My parents brought me up to be a gentleman , I respect people and would never put myself into a situation that jeopardises my relationship. my wife has always been happy , always with a smile , likes a cuddle etc. this week something happened and I have no idea what I have done wrong. in the morning she was very happy she went off to her hairdresser appointment came back looking amazing as always I complement her , then in the afternoon boom massive mood swing. at this point I must add that she is iron deficient, but over years I learnt to manage this. I know that has partially to do with her behaviour. but she has said to me the following day that I am always in her face, she was snappy at the kids, I say goodbye to her I say I love you , I get nothing , I try to kiss her I get a non passionate kiss (peck) even worse the following day after a great day at work all happy and smiling I help her by carrying her stuff to the car, say goodbye bend in for a kiss she reacts and tells me she feels like she trapped . I felt shocked as it was a normal thing we did in the past for many years being a loving couple . anyway I put more stuff in the car and she says bye gives me a peck. at work It got cold she had goosebumps I said come here ill warm you up, ready for a cuddle she kinda leaned in no arms awkard cuddle. I know I sounds like I am reading too much into it. but is very out of character for her I will say I have backed off since she started behaving the way she has been im trying to focus on my kids more and try to dismiss the behaviour in my head. as I said its completely out of character. i'm trying to stay positive around her. but underneath im feeling like she does not want to be with me. she has said that she loves me sometimes but there seems something really a miss. I am really hoping that it pans out and its nothing

Stats9 Disowned by my family
  • replies: 6

Ever since I was young I was always the odd one out having two sisters mum was for the athletic one and dad for one other one that had heart problems, I never had any one to turn to I was bullied at school from year 4 till year 11, back then parents ... View more

Ever since I was young I was always the odd one out having two sisters mum was for the athletic one and dad for one other one that had heart problems, I never had any one to turn to I was bullied at school from year 4 till year 11, back then parents did nothing to help me. I left High School at end of year 12 and started working being bullied again at work was no fun and anxiety grew worse, until I met my husband who told me to stand up for myself, I took his advice and it worked, but not on my mother, she started to hate me more and argue with me all the time even though I was always there for her when I was younger. Younger sister met a drug addict and woman basher and I have no time for them at all, so now I have disowned by my family including my parents. Anxiety and depression has got the better of me and feel sad a lot of the time cos I know it’s not my dads fault he only listens to my mum and agrees with her saving him from arguments, my son misses his grandad lots and I miss dad too but we can’t see him no more... just not to sure what to do, I cry at nights some times and so does my son

Donnatello Distant Relationship Advice
  • replies: 3

OMG not sure where to start.... Married for 17 years been unhappy for last 10 or more Husband is narcistic verbally and has a bad temper. My past history unfaithful once briefly - over 5 years ago Husband found out not trusted me since Currently have... View more

OMG not sure where to start.... Married for 17 years been unhappy for last 10 or more Husband is narcistic verbally and has a bad temper. My past history unfaithful once briefly - over 5 years ago Husband found out not trusted me since Currently have been chatting online constantly everyday since April 2018 with one male overseas visited in October/ November 2018 for one month and returned again this year returning from abroad a week ago. This male divorced his wife in late June early July this year. Since we started chatting over twelve months ago he has told me many times everyday he loves me and misses me .. Recently about a month prior to me returning to him he told his close friends and family about me. He said I was his life his future and asked me my intentions When I arrived he told me I was his Girlfriend but a week into my stay he said he was not ready to coexist with me He thought he was ready but now is not .....I was very upset but he said he would fight until the last day of my stay and we would either win together or lose together Throughout the rest of my stay there were many highs and lows but we still told each other e wry day we li Ed each other. I am full of self doubt I am not good enough but he told me he is the problem. The day I left to return to Australia he called me back from the Security line to caress kiss me and say farewellHe said we would still write but it has not been the same Now he never tells me he loves me or misses me and only writes GoodMorning and Goodnight with no love language He is Italian and was very passionate in the year or so I have written to him When questioned about not writing inlove you or I miss you his reply was I know your illness is emotional I am very sorry. Honestly these days my heart is cold... and I can’t feel for anyone.... I am very depressed and feel very guilty. Right now I need to be alone I need comments about why he has I feelings anymore I can not sleep I constantly feel nauseated and am not coping

Guest_598 Everything at once
  • replies: 14

Hi All, four weeks ago, my partner ended our relationship because he has not yet worked through the breakdown of his marriage, along with the grief and anger. He did not want to make promises he may not be able to keep and is completely lost. He stru... View more

Hi All, four weeks ago, my partner ended our relationship because he has not yet worked through the breakdown of his marriage, along with the grief and anger. He did not want to make promises he may not be able to keep and is completely lost. He struggles with every decision, will need to talk more to his ex wife to move forward and does not know where he will end up. I feel very sad and disappointed because I have loved him very much after the year we had together. But I went away for a few weeks and the distance helped with the worst heartbreak. Now I am trying to move forward and on, sometimes positive and sometimes pulled back into false hope that he may, one day, move on and out, finally ready to fully commit. But I know it is false hope, and so I will have to focus on rebuilding a new life of my own. It is difficult and painful at times, especially since we have to work together and although I am trying to build distance, he reaches out to me. It appears like he wants his cake and eat it, too while he is wading through his own confusion. But his progress is incredibly slow and I cannot deal with the hot and cold. He ended the relationship to move forward, so he will need to live with his decision. While I am trying to stay strong and distant, at the same time, every day I am hoping that he may miss me. When he messages me, I feel good because I know he cares about me, and bad because I know I cannot have him. I told him that at the moment, I either want everything or nothing because he has been pulling me along for too long. Not maliciously but due to his incredible indecisiveness and emotional immaturity. On top of this, while I was away visiting my parents, they said some horribly nasty things about me on my last night before I flew out. They did not think I would hear them but I did. I realise that they did so because they had a bit too much to drink and were disappointed that their expectations of the time with me were not met but all I wanted was a shoulder to lean on after the breakup. So of course I was not the greatest company. I confronted them about their words and they felt terribly apologetic. Since then, they feel very guilty and although I made them comfortable being nice, so they don't have the feelings of regret, but I feel extremely hurt, alone and like everything in my life is falling apart right now. I have just (gladly) finalised my divorce and my ex is dissatisfied because I did. What else? How can I progress and get better?

Lani86 8 years together and now over
  • replies: 1

Hi everyone, I am hoping people can give me some advice on to help my partner get the help I think he needs. We have been together for 8 years and its been a great 8 years. We celebrated our anniversary just 3 weeks ago and he wrote me a card saying ... View more

Hi everyone, I am hoping people can give me some advice on to help my partner get the help I think he needs. We have been together for 8 years and its been a great 8 years. We celebrated our anniversary just 3 weeks ago and he wrote me a card saying how much he loved me and appreciated the support, and how he cant wait for 8 more years together. Fast forward to last week where he told me he was struggling with anxiety and depression, and he doesn't know how he feels so he has left me. Heart-broken is an understatement. I think this is all his depression and anxiety talking but he said that after a week on medication and one psych visit he is feeling much better but not about me so it must be the end. He is pretty isolated, and his parents have only just found out about his illness because I have told them after he left. He has left to stay at a hotel to clear his head but is adamant that things are over. Please help me help him, and myself.

Liverpoolfan11 Starting over with a partner?
  • replies: 2

Hi Everyone Very new to all of this. I’ll try and keep it simple and short but I need some help understanding. My partner recently told me after 2 and a half years that she needed space/break up to sort her self out as she was feeling lost and unsure... View more

Hi Everyone Very new to all of this. I’ll try and keep it simple and short but I need some help understanding. My partner recently told me after 2 and a half years that she needed space/break up to sort her self out as she was feeling lost and unsure about everything including us as a relationship along with uni which includes living an hour and a half away and commuting for both of us weekly. A week later she claims she’s made the wrong decision and wants to start over completely and even start the whole ‘dating’ process again even thought I thought we had already and were still doing this.. i feel that I am only being used for company when she wants while she’s home and when she’s back at uni she’s almost not the same person, being distance and not messaging as often. She is continually doing 180 degrees with saying yes to seeing each other on weekends and then changing her mind the next day. Almost like I am needing to pick the right days to ask to see her. I’m after some advice of what to do next, do I stay and be supporting while feeling I don’t know where I stand or walk away and look after myself? i hope this makes sense

Daytona Am I being played or finding a way to help my partner with depression
  • replies: 2

Hi 7months ago I ended my relationship of 6years with my partner. He moved out 4 months ago. I had been depressed in our relationship for so long and once he left I was able to breath. I realised my share of the issues we had and could see that maybe... View more

Hi 7months ago I ended my relationship of 6years with my partner. He moved out 4 months ago. I had been depressed in our relationship for so long and once he left I was able to breath. I realised my share of the issues we had and could see that maybe if we both worked on the mistakes we made maybe we could work things out. In this time he was falling down the rabbit warren of depression. I was always there for him, but he was consistently telling me that he wanted the impossible. That we would get back together. So I told him that maybe if we could both sort out our issues then the door was open. Since that day 2 months ago he has gotten worse. He went from talking with me to not responding to text message. He no longer tells me how he is feeling. I have told him that I can see the mistakes I made in our relationship, apologised for it, told him that I still care about him, told him I am there for him, that I am fighting for us to work things out ( his story is about everyone leaving him and no one fighting for him), and it seems the more I tell him the more he twists my words against me. I have no idea how to reach him emotionally. We are on 1 month no contact (I am not very good at this but am trying) as I am hoping that maybe if he had some space he might see that I am genuine). His depression and anxiety is very high. He has always suffered from it. He is not communicating with his family, not responding to their calls or messages, and doesn't respond to mine. I have asked on numerous times would he rather I wasn't in his life, not communicate, not share. I have offered to find a counsellor together and get individual sessions, asked how he would like to communicate and what he wants from me or if he even wants to find a way for us work out. He rarely replies, but if he does it is that he doesn't want me to go. Am I being played as he won't tell me what he wants from me, or can someone please help me to know what I am suppose to be doing for him. He has no one to talk to. He has tried to go to 2 different counsellors but didn't like them. A counsellor told me he might want help but not be ready for it. I really just would like some help to know what i am meant to be doing as I feel that what I am doing is totally wrong. Thanks in advance.

Find_the_way My wife says she has feelings for another married man.
  • replies: 11

My wife & I have been together 13 years married for 6. Have 3 children together. She has been a stay home mum for the the past 8 years and has within the last 6 months gone back into the work force and loves it. I was and am happy she has found some ... View more

My wife & I have been together 13 years married for 6. Have 3 children together. She has been a stay home mum for the the past 8 years and has within the last 6 months gone back into the work force and loves it. I was and am happy she has found some purpose for her personally after staying home for so many years with the kids. She, as expected, has found new friends at work, found a new level of respect from her peers there and socially blossomed. Maybe a little too much. She goes out with her friends almost every weekend of late, all night to bars, house parties, crashes there for the night and I rarely see her. She does night shift so we only cross paths for an hour or so a day during the week. She has told me about her supervisor at work, we’ll call him “J”. 31, married with children. They seemed like they hit it off as friends and shared similar interests. At first I thought nothing of it And was happy for her. She started going to gym together after work as it is a shared interest between them, which at first I must admit was a little odd but I never wanted to be insecure partner and say anything so I let it go. We have always had an enormous amount of trust between us and loyalty was never an issue. But then I noticed her making little comments that made me feel uneasy, comments like “J” said not to wear shorts at the gym because he didn’t want any distractions” and he would confide in her about his own relationship troubles and envied myself for having a woman like her. He’d drop her home after a work basketball game. It just made me feel uneasy. We finally had a sit down discussion. She seemed vague and distant. She eventually came clean and said she has feelings for him but insisted she doesn’t love him and that it was all one way and the he had no idea about how she felt. She mentioned the words “having a break” etc. I have tried to break down these walls she puts up (loves the drama, wants to just give it up) And get out of her how she truly feels about me. She says she loves me but when I asked her but are you “in love” with me? she couldn’t answer. I don’t know where I stand exactly and it’s killing me. I feel as though this can be fixed. I just don’t know if she’s going thru a phase from all this new found excitement of change in her life. I just want her to say I still love you, ur the one for me. I can’t get her to talk and say it. I’m shattered I may have lost my wife, my best friends heart. She wants a break then we make love. Confused.