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

N888 Teenage daughter
  • replies: 18

What do you do if you find alcohol in your daughters room? Can anyone give me some advice please?She has such an unhealthy lifestyle. Doesnt exercise, drinks sugar drinks, eats unhealthy food. (never at home). Please help......

What do you do if you find alcohol in your daughters room? Can anyone give me some advice please?She has such an unhealthy lifestyle. Doesnt exercise, drinks sugar drinks, eats unhealthy food. (never at home). Please help......

Rose9 Lost and alone
  • replies: 0

I’ll try to be brief. Suffer depression, anxiety and multiple health issues. Childhood trauma. My daughter has not spoken to me in over 5 years, I don’t know why. My best friend passed away from cancer early last year we were partners in crime for 20... View more

I’ll try to be brief. Suffer depression, anxiety and multiple health issues. Childhood trauma. My daughter has not spoken to me in over 5 years, I don’t know why. My best friend passed away from cancer early last year we were partners in crime for 20+ years. I miss her so much. Traveled to hubbys family last year after funeral, for birthday it did not go well so to avoid putting myself into deeper depression I made the call to leave. No harsh words were said. Apparently it seams I’m in no longer worth talking to, I don’t know what was said. I’m so very tired of being the baddie with out knowing why! So lonely, no friends no family (my side) only hubby and sons family. DIL does not talk to me much, tries to be kind. I’m very thankful for that. thank you for taking the time to read.

Kate65 Lonely and depressed
  • replies: 3

I am lonely and depressed. I am an "older" woman and I am lonely and depressed. I am married but we live separately under the same roof since 2016 because I have meet his son and he hate his son. Don't ask me why but I just wanted to have my own opin... View more

I am lonely and depressed. I am an "older" woman and I am lonely and depressed. I am married but we live separately under the same roof since 2016 because I have meet his son and he hate his son. Don't ask me why but I just wanted to have my own opinion. . We argue all day long and the only quiet time I can have is when I stay in my bedroom with my dog. Sometimes for all day so I stay in my pajamas what the point to dress on? . I do not have family, I do not have friends, my husband , who as a type of mental illness, hate people. We live in a regional area, and I don't have asked for. I don't and can't drive so I rely on him. I was born and raise in another Country and I just have him. I want to go away and he is ok to let me go but financially this is impossible at the moment this is why we share the house. Sometime I want to end all that. What the point to live this nightmare? I am too old for re start again.

sbella02 Breakups.
  • replies: 5

Hi friends of the forums, I love supporting people on these forums, I look forward to it every week. But today it's me who needs a little support. Had a breakup a few days ago and for some reason, even though we were only together for a few months, i... View more

Hi friends of the forums, I love supporting people on these forums, I look forward to it every week. But today it's me who needs a little support. Had a breakup a few days ago and for some reason, even though we were only together for a few months, it seems to be hitting me harder than my last breakup after a two-year relationship. It's weird going from seeing each other nearly every day to just not at all. It was a mutual breakup, probably for the best, and we're still on relatively good terms, but it still hurts a lot. I've tried going out, seeing friends, listening to music, crying, but nothing's helping and my first instinct is to talk to my ex-partner, which I know is terrible and is also not really an option as we're both trying not to do that. We also work together, which hasn't been awkward so far but is still rough. I also can't really fully take the time to be sad because I have so much uni work to do and I can't be distracted, because they're all huge projects. Any advice would be much appreciated. Even if anyone's going through the same thing and wants to share their experience, I'd love to hear, anything to distract myself or feel less alone. Much love.

bubblegirl2121 Alone and upset
  • replies: 3

A big incident recently happened between my partner and i we no longer live together i feel very alone and isolated I feel like i have no one to turn to anymore he barely comes and see’s me and he barely ever talks to me now its like he just doesn’t ... View more

A big incident recently happened between my partner and i we no longer live together i feel very alone and isolated I feel like i have no one to turn to anymore he barely comes and see’s me and he barely ever talks to me now its like he just doesn’t love me anymore

Winston666 Looking for help with depression and anger issues
  • replies: 14

These days i seem to have zero tolerance for any drama and tend to anger quickly, which escalates quickly. it is getting to a point that it is affecting my marriage. i am by no means a physically violent person but can say some pretty hurtful things ... View more

These days i seem to have zero tolerance for any drama and tend to anger quickly, which escalates quickly. it is getting to a point that it is affecting my marriage. i am by no means a physically violent person but can say some pretty hurtful things when i feel i am defending myself. Any direction or advice would be greatly appreciated, i have never used this kind of forum to reach out but need help. Thanks.

broken88 Don't know what to do.
  • replies: 0

Hi I was hoping for some advice please. I have been the sole carer/companion for my Mum since covid lockdown. I have my own home and life but put it all on hold to be with her. I had a troubled childhood and never felt my Mother loved me, I am one of... View more

Hi I was hoping for some advice please. I have been the sole carer/companion for my Mum since covid lockdown. I have my own home and life but put it all on hold to be with her. I had a troubled childhood and never felt my Mother loved me, I am one of seven and was always treated differently, always got more hits etc. This has damaged me I feel growing up and all I wanted as a close loving relationship with my Mum to undo some of that damage, so I have always been there for her no matter what. Its always been me that mum would come to for help etc, I felt things were so much better and she would visit as would I etc and it was so good but living with her has been difficult. She has always been very able but decided once I moved back in to do nothing, it was a total shock but I took on the sudden roll of becoming full time slave. I had come to her years prior and told her I felt suicidal and had asked for help, she openly turned her back on me and never mentioned it again. That hurt so much and to be honest I cant forgive it because to this day she has still ignores that despite the fact that I bring it up and have told her how bad it made me feel. My Mum is in her early 80s now and I so want and need to be a good Daughter, its all I have ever wanted to be, I thought if I was we would get so close. We were a lot closer before covid and used to travel the World together, having so much fun, always laughing. I think I feel resentment for being thrown into this carer roll and now seeing no hope of her fixing my broken childhood heart. It almost taboo to expect a senior to be accountable for their past let alone your own Mum. How do I heal myself without needing her to see and be sorry for the past, how can I let it all go and except it and move on so I can be a good Daughter and this is not hanging over our heads constantly. Thank you.

Vmv Isolated and alone
  • replies: 7

I feel like I have nowhere to turn. I’m recently married and it’s has been really tough. During disagreements, he terrorises me, intimidates me, takes my phone, keys and money and sometimes locks me in the house. He controls who I see and talk to. Wh... View more

I feel like I have nowhere to turn. I’m recently married and it’s has been really tough. During disagreements, he terrorises me, intimidates me, takes my phone, keys and money and sometimes locks me in the house. He controls who I see and talk to. When things are good, he’s beyond amazing.I’m 12 weeks pregnant and we have a mortgage together. I feel trapped and confused. I don’t know if I’m the problem.

N888 Teenage daughter
  • replies: 29

Does anyone feel like their 20 year old daughter hates them? Or like walking on egg shells around her. What every i say, she twists it around to make out that ive said something wrong and turns into an arguement. Does anyone have any advice please...... View more

Does anyone feel like their 20 year old daughter hates them? Or like walking on egg shells around her. What every i say, she twists it around to make out that ive said something wrong and turns into an arguement. Does anyone have any advice please....

Katerina03 Struggling with regret after having a conversation
  • replies: 2

Hi, I'm a 25yr old woman. Recently I have been struggling a lot with regret after having conversations with people. Growing up I used to be an extrovert young girls and didn't think much about the conversations I was having. I just said anything and ... View more

Hi, I'm a 25yr old woman. Recently I have been struggling a lot with regret after having conversations with people. Growing up I used to be an extrovert young girls and didn't think much about the conversations I was having. I just said anything and everything that I wanted to talk about. Fast forward in my 20s I started to notice people were careful around me and didn't want to say much in fear I would share their secrets or their conversations.It made me go back into my shell and reflected back to all the years and my being over talkative. Right now I question everything I say, my self esteem is low. I am very watchful of people's body languages when I speak to them, I pay attention to their tone when they respond to me and it makes me scared to talk. I want this feeling to go away because it's eating me up inside. I don't want to be talkative anymore but just how can I get rid of the regret?