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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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blues23 When to end a friendship
  • replies: 2

I had a friend ( or what i thought was a friend) cross some lines asked “ suggested “ I send some pics like intimate pics of myself, I felt quite shocked as it was outta the blue although he has been asking 4 pics so I send him what I take pics of li... View more

I had a friend ( or what i thought was a friend) cross some lines asked “ suggested “ I send some pics like intimate pics of myself, I felt quite shocked as it was outta the blue although he has been asking 4 pics so I send him what I take pics of like for example birds trees wildlife ect things like nothing intimate like pic of me in my underwear. I didn’t/ haven’t responded as I’m like major icky and it has given me major ick about it and feel physically I’ll at the thought of him like thinking of me in this way then he’s all like oh I’m googling sexy underwear on the internet and they are nice and i would look good in them . Like I’ve been friends with this guy for 8 years , we tried to date years ago but I wasn’t interested just wanted to be friends and occasionally he mentions like oh it’s a shame we didn’t have sex back then which really makes me feel bad about myself for not wanting to . is this toxic as all anything friendship? I’m very sad bout it as I thought I could trust him or I had a friend like who wouldn’t hurt me but it has . I’s it a waste of time to salvage this friendship? .im very much backing off from this guy having some space as I feel so dirty about it all I just wonder why this happens like why does this happen ?

Lotus_85 Am I just self sabotaging?
  • replies: 6

So, I told my husband the other day I'm done. I don't know if I'm ending it because I hate the relationship or myself. I'm distant from him, have little emotional connection. He wants sex and I don't. He says he wants me to make an effort and want to... View more

So, I told my husband the other day I'm done. I don't know if I'm ending it because I hate the relationship or myself. I'm distant from him, have little emotional connection. He wants sex and I don't. He says he wants me to make an effort and want to be around him, I mean I can physically sit with him but I don't really wanna be there, I would rather curl up in bed and watch tv. That's what I do, most of the time. I come out to clean, feed him and the kids, go shopping, and go to work. That's it really. We have always had a messed up relationship. He is jealous of nothing. If I go out with friends, which is rare, I feel bad for it. Whether he makes a snide remark that I like them more then him or I should want to stay him and hang with him or whateva. I would be happy to continue in the relationship if I was left alone, which I know isn't fair on him. We fight, he wants an effort and if I make one, he always thinks any kind of touch or anything should lead to sex... so I stop trying to be near him coz I feel it shouldn't always be an expectation if we r near each other. He never sleeps in our bed. We have together 18yrs, have 3 kids and a house. Should I just keep doing what we r doing? Is this what it's spose to be? Should it end and we move on, and be broke because God knows neither of us can afford to be alone. I don't know what I'm doing. Am I just self sabotaging. I am on meds for depression, have been for 16yrs. I feel like we r both shells of ppl.

Ash-H LGBTQI+ divorce and separation
  • replies: 3

My wife and I got married in October 2022. a few months later my wife revealed that she was unhappy in our relationship and had been for a while and that she had pushed it down. I’ve been hoping we’d work it out and get back together but that’s not w... View more

My wife and I got married in October 2022. a few months later my wife revealed that she was unhappy in our relationship and had been for a while and that she had pushed it down. I’ve been hoping we’d work it out and get back together but that’s not what she wants. I just wish I could go back in time and fix all the problems we had and work it out so that she wasn’t unhappy. I’m not ready to let her go and I still love her so much but she’s made it clear she’s done. And now I don’t know how to cope. I don’t want it be done. I want to fix it and even though I know I can’t I just want to. I’m trying to do all of the right things to process my grief and move on but it just is so exhausting and is taking so long. I know you can’t force these things but I just want the grief to end.

Kat_123 Partner Unemployed
  • replies: 4

Hi, Im going to write this with total honesty and hope someone might have some valuable insight. I’m drowning everyday in a mud pit that I can’t see anyway out of. My partner is been unemployed for over a year now, second time in five years within an... View more

Hi, Im going to write this with total honesty and hope someone might have some valuable insight. I’m drowning everyday in a mud pit that I can’t see anyway out of. My partner is been unemployed for over a year now, second time in five years within an industry that has a resource shortage around people with his expertise level. I’m so tired and resentful of him as up until a few weeks ago it was expected I also do all the running of the household. I feel like I’m literally trapped providing for everything as he’s not even applied for unemployment or any kind of benefit so I can’t leave him. My work is pressurised and if I’m honest soul destroying but everyday I get up & go while he sits comfortably in his office doing goodness knows what 8 hrs a day, 5 days a week. Im completely at the end of the rope. I can’t change my work because I provide everything and I can’t get out of this I won’t call it a relationship because it hasn’t been that way in years.And if I’m honest I read this I feel so guilty because everyone feels sorry for the person “trying to find work”, never for the person who’s holding the household together who at this point just wants to crawl into a dark room & never come out.

amycam Husband not interested in sex or any sort of intimacy
  • replies: 2

I've been married for 13 years, and my husband has no interest in me. I don't know what to do anymore I just can't handle it anymore. He has rejected my advances for years but he now physically turns away from me . If I try to hug him in bed he rolls... View more

I've been married for 13 years, and my husband has no interest in me. I don't know what to do anymore I just can't handle it anymore. He has rejected my advances for years but he now physically turns away from me . If I try to hug him in bed he rolls over away from me. I want nothing more then to touch him and please him sexualising. I'm overweight and I don't blame him for not wanting me but it doesn't stop me from wanting him. I have PCOS and had a miscarriage a few years ago. I wanted kids so badly and would still do anything to have some with him, but unfortunately we are too old now. The day I lost our baby was the day I lost my husband. I Cant get him to understand my need for intimacy its been 3 years since we have had sex and that was a one time thing. Before that we didn't have sex for 9 years. I love him and don't want to give up on our marriage but he refuses to talk about anything that actually means something and just fobs me off. He stays out watching t.v to all hours of the night so he doesn't have to worry about me touching him. I keep trying to talk to him but he just isn't interested. I feel so worthless. I just can't see the point anymore

Karen0901 Later age parents
  • replies: 2

Hi. My adult life has been a long battle with infertility. Started treatments at 26 now 37. I had a child at 32 via IVF. We have been trying for a sibling. We would like another and we would like our child to have a sibling. However, I'm getting incr... View more

Hi. My adult life has been a long battle with infertility. Started treatments at 26 now 37. I had a child at 32 via IVF. We have been trying for a sibling. We would like another and we would like our child to have a sibling. However, I'm getting increasingly concerned about our age now. Not for IVF sucess (this has always been a problem and we genetically test) but to have the energy to parent. I'm also worried about the stigma. Are there any parents who might have an idea if we should be worried about having a teen in our 50's? Thanks

Lyssaa Bad sexual experience
  • replies: 3

Hi everyone, I'm looking to hear some perspectives about a recent experience I went through with a guy. I met him when I went clubbing, and met up with him a few days later. We ended up making out together, and he was very touchy feely, which I felt ... View more

Hi everyone, I'm looking to hear some perspectives about a recent experience I went through with a guy. I met him when I went clubbing, and met up with him a few days later. We ended up making out together, and he was very touchy feely, which I felt a bit uncomfortable with but didn't know how to mention it to him. That was okay, because he wasn't to know I was uncomfortable, but the next time we made out a few days later, he went to unbutton my pants and asked if that was okay, and I said no. However, five minutes later he tried again, even though I'd already said no once. I also told him not to leave any hickeys on my neck, as last time he did and I had to cover them all up for work and when I went out in public. He said that he wouldn't, but when I got home, there were hickeys on my neck again. The final time we made out, which was in the back of my car, he asked me if I wanted to have sex- I didn't really want to, but he kind of persuaded me into it, and made me feel like I shouldn't say no or there was no reason for me to say no. This was also my first ever time both making out with someone and having sex with someone. This whole experience has made me uncomfortable and I think is affecting me more than I initially realised; but am I just overreacting or being stupid about it and maybe it wasn't even that bad or that serious? Opinions would really be appreciated right now guys

ray-549 Family
  • replies: 1

Hey to put this out there my uncle who i haven't seen for 10 years got reintroduced to me and my younger sister, we have been in contact and he has came to our house many times over the course of a month or soSo the day before the incident ( that i w... View more

Hey to put this out there my uncle who i haven't seen for 10 years got reintroduced to me and my younger sister, we have been in contact and he has came to our house many times over the course of a month or soSo the day before the incident ( that i will say in a sec ) my uncle came to our house after my dad - a man my uncle is semi scared off - went to bed, he was frantic and my mum said he was being manic, he was being very loud and swearing a ton, - so some backround on my uncle, he has adhd and has been on speed since the age of four, he has a medical prescription to smoke weed - so when he is in the house he is frantic and he says he hasnt eaten all day and asks for a few smokes and money to buy some food.My mum only had 50's in the safe that is filled with firearms - for context i am a legal firearms holder and so are my parents - so my mum didnt really want to unlock the safe, she was about to say she asked me (while im on the couch monitoring my uncles movements) if i can give him my 20 dollars i earnt and i got up and gave it to him. when we finally get him to leave my mum locks the door and puts the dead bolt on hoping that that was the end of it. 20 minutes later there is a pound at the door, mum opens it and my uncle walks in with a small pizza and a 1.5 litre of soft drink. This whole time im trying to get my sister back to bed. he finally left mum was shaking.

RABo Postpartum depression and rage impacts relationship badly
  • replies: 1

Hi my partner of around a decade has had issues in the past with both depression and anxiety, and now with the arrival of our baby has become completely untenable. In particular she has had issues with feeding, and outside of pumping has given up on ... View more

Hi my partner of around a decade has had issues in the past with both depression and anxiety, and now with the arrival of our baby has become completely untenable. In particular she has had issues with feeding, and outside of pumping has given up on most self care, and is now only intermittently taking her medications. more recently this has exploded into bouts or rage, hitting herself and throwing things. She has also become incredibly hurtful, and though I’ve taken time off to look after the baby and basically am doing 99% of all chores and care for Bub, I’m finding it hurtful to be told how little I love or care for her. im starting to find my own mental health is suffering, and wishing I wasn’t here anymore as each and every day i am becoming more and more tired. I am worried when I have to go back to work things will completely fall apart. I know many people may not view the father as active but believe me I have been carrying things while she is not well, and it’s gradually getting worse. I’ve begged her to seek more help but I’m pretty sure she paints a more rosy picture hiding the major issues underneath. anyway I don’t know how much help can be offered or advice - probably just good to vent.

paygho Seeking advice for a complicated love situation
  • replies: 1

I’m a guy in my late 20’s, and a year ago I came out to my friends and family. I recently fell deeply in love with a straight guy (or so he claims) and I would like advice on how to proceed given we’ve had sex many times, been in what’s felt like a r... View more

I’m a guy in my late 20’s, and a year ago I came out to my friends and family. I recently fell deeply in love with a straight guy (or so he claims) and I would like advice on how to proceed given we’ve had sex many times, been in what’s felt like a romantic relationship and just travelled together (one-on-one) for a few weeks which was possibly the best experience of my life. However, unfortunately this guy says he’s not gay and wants nothing more than a strong friendship and sex here and there on the side. Through deep thought of our time together, I believe he is both strongly sexually and emotionally into me. However my thoughts are that he doesn’t want to be in a relationship with guys and may never need to come out, as he could be equally strongly sexually and emotionally into girls and therefore chooses to live a more ‘normal’ life with them. He’s big on family and kids. The problem: It has been hard for me sometimes when we are not together. I’ll want to hang out more and do more than he does. We’ve been catching up once - twice per week, however I really want to spend more time, do more travelling and live together. The fact this is all happening, but we are not in a relationship hurts. I believe there is a chance he’ll come out in the future, but this could bring other downsides. He may want to experience more guys and this would hurt me even more and likely destroy a possibility of a lifelong friendship. So maybe its best for me if he never does? At my request, I’ve asked we don’t speak with each other for a few months while he’s still away overseas so I can move on and catch feelings for a new guy - this would hopefully pave the way for us to be just strong friends when he gets back later in the year. He’s a bit upset by this request, but accepts its for the better.My questions to the community is how do I proceed? What usually happens in this scenario? Advice? Am I being too unrealistic thinking we can go back to friendship removing the sex and feelings? Can my feelings go away? Do you think he will come out? In the straight world you generally wouldn’t stay friends with someone you’ve just been so strongly in love with. It this an unreasonable expectation? The thought of not even being friends is the most depressing thing ever to me. But I also am aware of that fact I could waste many years of my life being into this guy but nothing developed- as it has made me unable to meet or be interested in meeting new people.