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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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Dflyz Living in remote community isolation, can't make friends, while managing a rocky long distance relationship
  • replies: 1

Hi guys. 3 months ago I moved out to a island and into remote community of no more than 1,000 people for a particular job. This particular job I did 4 years ago in the same location but for a different operator. I ended up leaving that job after suff... View more

Hi guys. 3 months ago I moved out to a island and into remote community of no more than 1,000 people for a particular job. This particular job I did 4 years ago in the same location but for a different operator. I ended up leaving that job after suffering depression and PTSD from my employer from verbal abuse. My long term relationship of 4 years suffered during the time I was away and that fact he was too settled in his own location and made all the excuses to ever leave to be with me. So I took a 3 year break from this job and did other jobs in the meantime, until I was suffering depression again because as hard as it was before, I wanted back into this job and career. I've always struggled to make friends as I feel my personality is very different from most people due to the wide range of jobs I've done over the years compared to people from my home town. 3 months into this new location and I'm still yet to make a single friend. I'm not friends with people in the same job area as most are just in it for themselves and all they do is rant about work in spare time, I'm not one to make a crappy situation crappier by ranting. My own colleague and I don't get along as I argue the point of what is safe and what is not when she deems it to be perfectly safe/questionable. My current relationships (12 months) has been so much better than the last one as he also works in the same industry but he lives at least 5.5 hours away by aircraft. He has unfortunately had his mother (with extreme paranoia) living with him for 4 years while he was single, and after her constantly putting her son down and treating me like vermin (she's Asian, I'm Caucasian) she has driven him to the point where he wants her out of the house. The plan was to find help find her own place and move her out. Though weeks have already gone by and my bf and his mother have done nothing in their power to find a house. They're both so set in routine for so long I'm having doubts it'll change. I push for the change to happen to the point my bf tells me to back off, but I don't see it happening any other way unless (hypothetically) I get knocked up, then he has no choice. He's Mr nice guy and tries to please everyone at work and works overtime all the time. Even though I've stated he can't please everyone, and he's pushing his family away and me, I'm not sure things will get better. So I've now entered depression again crying everyday thinking, and losing trust I wont have anything to come back to.

jess334 Sick baby, exhausted mum
  • replies: 3

My son turned 1 on Wednesday. Unfortunately, because he spent 2 hours at childcare last week, he is sick. Not really sick, but has a cough & stuffed nose that make it impossible for him to feed and sleep properly. I should be grateful that he didnt e... View more

My son turned 1 on Wednesday. Unfortunately, because he spent 2 hours at childcare last week, he is sick. Not really sick, but has a cough & stuffed nose that make it impossible for him to feed and sleep properly. I should be grateful that he didnt end up in hospital. I know I am lucky. I have a partner who is supportive and who takes turns rocking the baby at night. I have extended family who would step in and babysit in an instant if I asked. I should be happy that I managed to breastfeed my son for 12 months. But instead I am upset that it looks like our breastfeeding journey is over, all because of a cold. I haven't had more than 2 hours sleep in a row since Friday night. That was 6 nights ago. Does anyone else get super anxious when they are tired? I do. I cant think properly, cant make decisions. I want someone to come and take over and give me a break, but I am also terrified of giving up control in case I fall apart and cant be put back together again. So I just keep going. Because what else can I do. So I keep rocking and singing lullabies. I call PANDA and the breast feeding association for support. I take my son to the Dr for the 4th time this week hoping they will give me something to help him sleep (they dont). and I know that by next week he will be back to normal"

MsPinky Lonely
  • replies: 1

Im a single mum of 2 young children, (4 & 18m) we are always busy during the days and often catch up with other mums and bubs for playdates. Always at home at night as have kids full time. Ive always been a worrier, for my own situation and for other... View more

Im a single mum of 2 young children, (4 & 18m) we are always busy during the days and often catch up with other mums and bubs for playdates. Always at home at night as have kids full time. Ive always been a worrier, for my own situation and for others. I've always been available to my friends when they need me. The last year or so has been tough, dealing with an awful ex, and adjusting to life as a single mum. The other day I was struggling with anxiety. I called & msgd 2 of my friends who understand anxiety. Dispite msging I really needed to talk it was hours until 1 replied. By that time I was tears, her phonecall helped as it was nice to talk it out. I felt much better, but definitely not 100%. She needed to attend to bubs and said she would call back and quickly hung up, Understandable. But I didn't hear back from her. Not that day, not the next day. No return phonecall. Personally if a friend of mine was upset I would not stop worrying until I knew they were ok. I am not a priority in anyones life and its a terrible feeling. I don't know what to do.

Jettison Advice pls...Separated living under 1 roof with 2 children.
  • replies: 6

3 days ago by partner of 12 years told me they no longer wanted to be in a relationship with me. We have 2 beautiful sons aged 7 and 4 and as a family had been planning on going 'off the grid' for a year, home schooling and travelling Oz. I have aske... View more

3 days ago by partner of 12 years told me they no longer wanted to be in a relationship with me. We have 2 beautiful sons aged 7 and 4 and as a family had been planning on going 'off the grid' for a year, home schooling and travelling Oz. I have asked my partner to see a counsellor with me but she says she is not invested and believes we will just end up back in this place. I am not surprised that she felt like ending the relationship.I have spoken of being unhappy at times but we have gotten through it. What I can't let go of is that we have been making plans and have told our children and family and she is ready to let all of it go without contemplating conciliation. I am feeling sick and not eating or sleeping. I feel like our whole family is getting ripped apart and I cannot believe we will have to break our childrens hearts like this! Atm we are still in the same house and have not told the kids anything. She wants to take it 'one day at a time' because she hopes we can stay seperated but coparent as friends.... I am heartbroken and lost and it seems like everything I suggest strengthens her resolve. I want her to commit to trying, really trying through counselling and prioritised time together for our family. But she has checked out...Please help x

thunder212 Is there hope?
  • replies: 5

First time posting here. My husband came home a week ago and told me that he doesn't love me anymore. I am absolutely shattered. We have a 5 month old and only bought our first home 5 1/2 months ago. He has told me he has been feeling like this for a... View more

First time posting here. My husband came home a week ago and told me that he doesn't love me anymore. I am absolutely shattered. We have a 5 month old and only bought our first home 5 1/2 months ago. He has told me he has been feeling like this for a while. I don't know that to think or do. I love him as much as what he has said has hurt me and I want to try and sort things out. What are steps that I can take to try and help the situation?

Supercharge6669 Separated from my ex partner and lost and lonely needing help.
  • replies: 2

I have broken up with my exe partner which we was together for 5 years. I live alone by myself we come to queensland from Victoria for a new start in life we have been in queensland for about 4 years we started to lose each over. I moved into to my o... View more

I have broken up with my exe partner which we was together for 5 years. I live alone by myself we come to queensland from Victoria for a new start in life we have been in queensland for about 4 years we started to lose each over. I moved into to my own place so we could try and make things better between us but it was still failing between us then she moved on with another man and I can't even talk to her know I am left alone no friends no family forgotten how to mix with over people I lock myself up at home as I am struggling with money and I don't now what to do.

LC29 BF problems.
  • replies: 4

Hey everyone! I’ve been with my boyfriend for 4 years now and we’ve lived together for about 1.5 years. For long and complicated reasons my BF and my family only recently (as in, within the last couple of months) started getting along and spending ti... View more

Hey everyone! I’ve been with my boyfriend for 4 years now and we’ve lived together for about 1.5 years. For long and complicated reasons my BF and my family only recently (as in, within the last couple of months) started getting along and spending time together. Obviously the fact that they finally get along and I can have them all in the one place together without their being any tension is a massive relief for me and I’m really genuinely so happy that there’s no more conflict between them for me to get stuck in the middle of. However things don’t seem to be all sunshine and rainbows. My BF doesn’t really talk to my family. Like, when we get together, unless my family specifically asks him anything, he won’t really generate any conversation on his own (which is the opposite to how he is at home with me). My family even asked me whether he’s just really shy and quiet, or whether it’s something more than that. I did tell them that he’s not that shy or quiet so I don’t know why he doesn’t talk to them or engage in conversation. As bad as this may sound, sometimes I feel like people must think I picked the dud that can’t say two words or string together a sentence on his own. Every time they try and talk to him, he’ll either give the smallest reply or look at me to reply, as if he’s not able to reply on his own. I’ve tried talking to him about the problem... because I do think it’s important and healthy to be able to have open dialogue with your future family/for my family to be able to talk to their future son-in-law, and he always shifts the blame onto someone else. For example, he’ll say they only ask him a few questions and spend most of the time talking to me instead. And I’m like well obviously if they try and initiate a conversation but you’re too busy on your phone or give a dry reply or don’t try and take the conversation further, they’re going to feel like you don’t want to talk to them. I mean I personally wouldn’t keep trying to talk to someone if I felt they weren’t interested in talking to me either. I know people might say maybe I’m biased towards my family, but honestly, they have tried really hard to include him and to make him feel a part of the family and a part of conversations, and I just sometimes (a lot of the time) don’t think he makes the same effort in return. Yet every time I try to talk to him about it, either I’m overreacting or my family is in the wrong or there’s some other excuse. I’m not sure how to handle this anymore.

akansstar Feeling unimportant
  • replies: 6

Hello. New account. I was taken in by my adult sister mid last year after my mother passed away from a terminal illness. I had depression then, and I thought I was getting better but I just feel the same as before now. I have anxiety and OCD as well.... View more

Hello. New account. I was taken in by my adult sister mid last year after my mother passed away from a terminal illness. I had depression then, and I thought I was getting better but I just feel the same as before now. I have anxiety and OCD as well. I share a room with my sister's daughter for now. Recently we found out she was self harming. I found out. I feel terrible and I know it is her child so of course she loves her more than I, but I feel like she will always be on her daughters side over mine. Especially now. I know that I am lucky to have my sister, otherwise I'd be in a foster home. I'm LGBT so it mighn't have gone well for me. I just- feel unimportant. I wash her daughters clothes and fold them for her, I help her with things and all, I do her chores (by the way, not at her mother's request. Her mother treats me fine). But when the daughter does something wrong to me, especially now, I get "Now isn't a good time. I'm not going to push her." After all I asked was that she tell her daughter she needs to clean up a drink she spilt on my bed (I cleaned it up). I want to cry so bad but I can't because the daughter is in the room with me. Tomorrow is my birthday, and all I want is my mother. I don't know what to do.

Seeking_one Feeling lost hurt hollow
  • replies: 3

Hi all new to group 54 here 2 weeks ago was at work got a call from neighbor asking are we moving.said no ok just so your aware there lots of furniture being moved in out house. Rang wife said she was ok.said any noise outsidesay no. So i said come h... View more

Hi all new to group 54 here 2 weeks ago was at work got a call from neighbor asking are we moving.said no ok just so your aware there lots of furniture being moved in out house. Rang wife said she was ok.said any noise outsidesay no. So i said come home ok .i got home nothing left in house car gone camper trailer but a note I love you very much and will always.i need space .be in touch soon love you baby xoxo. So i here thinking what tha .trying make sense of note can contact her so now .i am 54 no parents no brothers sister or any thing i put everything into my wife. I have 2 daughters from many yrs ago they been great. But all freinds have not spoke and few of what i thought was best mates . Nope. So end of day no one to talk to .social just i dont know any more all i know is my wife ...

Sam_K Need advice please should I stay or move out
  • replies: 11

I don’t know what to do. Feeling really depressed. I have been married 7 years and have two kids one is 6 and second one is just 1 year old . We had a lot of arguments all these years. To start with consider me as worst person in the world so doesn’t... View more

I don’t know what to do. Feeling really depressed. I have been married 7 years and have two kids one is 6 and second one is just 1 year old . We had a lot of arguments all these years. To start with consider me as worst person in the world so doesn’t sound like I am only blaming her . My wife have temper and can go off at anytime on anything if she thinks it’s wrong and even if I don’t mean it or something was not done deliberately. In our arguments I have said the worst and she did too . I used to stay quite and didn’t say anything back. But everyone have limit but she is always on the limit. I slap her once which was nearly four years ago because she was pushing and shoving me but I have been hit probably about hundred time before this incident and after . But I never hit her after that. One morning I was woken up by slap because her friend and her decided to send me message on yahoo messanger and she thought I did not tell her but I did not even know and I was not even using yahoo messanger and it was more than four years ago. I worked away few time and had to go away but I have never cheated on her or even talked to any women the way I am not supposed to. But I m confessing I have watched porn while I was away . When I was away I went out for drink with 60 yo and 40+ . And I did not told her I was going to the pub with them because he had argument before I left and I was slapped but I still called her that night after few drinks but she got angry because I did not tell her and to this day it’s thrown on my face . But she always says I am doing things behind her back . But I am willing to go through lie detector to prove I have not done anything. My wife had a lot of sexual partners before me ans had kids before me and but when we met I told her I don’t want to know anything about it. It’s past. But I heard a lot after that even number of partner she had which is pretty high . But I still did not care and We had second child after that so our first child doesn’t miss out on us and hopefully that will put bit trust in the relationsh