Hi @Seriann, thank you for sharing. From what you have mentioned, it seems like you are feeling quite upset for your son and have a lot of empathy for what he is going through. It is difficult to watch our loved ones go through difficult situations. You sound like you are close with your son and really in tune with his life and emotions. Have you thought of going to see a different paediatrician instead? Sometimes there can be varying opinions and your opinion as his mother should definitely be considered ... View more

Hi @Eliana123, welcome to our forums. Please feel welcome to share your experience with our lovely community. Just so you know, our service is intended for parents of children aged 12 - 18, so information and referrals on our website may not be relevant for you ... View more

Hi @Nel_88, thank you for sharing your experience. Firstly, I want to say that what your daughter is experiencing is horrible and heart breaking. I can only imagine the emotional and psychological impact that this is having on both of you. Not to mention, the disruption to important parts of schooling and the learning environment. It sounds very traumatic and it is disheartening to hear that the school has been unable to do more to protect your child. Have you talked to the school about the unsuccessful interventions taken thus far? In some cases, parents resort to removing their child from the school. Understandably, this is not always ideal and may not be a possibility for you. In any case, it sounds like it might be helpful for you to have some support for yourself throughout this experience. There is a service called Ngala Parenting Line which offers telephone counselling and valuable resources for parents. I was also wondering if your daughter has been receiving support around her experience at school? If you are interested or would find it helpful, you can make a complaint to the Department of Education , you can do that here.   Please feel welcome to keep us updated  ... View more

Hello @Ifeelthesame, thank you for sharing. It sounds as though you wish your two families were better connected. I am wondering about the impact this is having on the relationships within your family? What you have mentioned about raising children is very true - parenting style can vary over time and it can also vary between people too. Does your husband disagree with how you parent your teenagers? Hi @Noname1, I am so sorry to hear about your experience with your husband. It sounds like it has been a challenging journey and your attempts to repair the relationship have only gone so far. It is so heart breaking to feel stuck and to have to let go of someone. Do you have any supports for yourself throughout this? Thank you for sharing your experience to help someone else. @Noname1 and @Ifeelthesame, please feel most welcome to continue to post updates on our forums. ... View more

Hi @Justme78, thank you so much for sharing your story. It sounds like you are in a difficult position as a parent and are feeling unsure as to what to do next. Do you think it may be possible that his current appearance and hygiene is due to his living situation at the moment? Getting kicked out of home with nowhere else to go can be an incredibly stressful situation for any person and so this may be having a significant impact. We can understand the concern that you have, especially considering that you don't seem to know a lot about this boy or why he has been kicked out of home. It seems like your daughter is quite close to this boy, regardless of his situation and appearance which sounds like it is something that you struggle to understand. I am wondering if it would be helpful for you to look into some support services in your area for this boy? It may help him to find a stable home and somewhere to shower. It can also show your daughter that you are trying to help someone who is important to her, even though you may not agree with her dating choice. In turn, it could allow her to feel more comfortable keeping you in the loop should anything change ... View more

Hi @ruined4life, thank you for sharing your story. It sounds like you are going through a lot at the moment - raising children, separation, parenting challenges, financial difficulties and managing household responsibilities. It is understandable that you are feeling so overwhelmed and stressed. I am sorry to hear that this has got you to the point where you feel like never waking up again. Just so you know, I have sent you through an email with further support I also hope that the community here is able to provide you with some love and insight during this tough period for you. ... View more

Hi @vanb73, welcome to our forums and thank you for sharing your experience. We really love when members come together to support one another with their insight and learnings. If you'd like to share more of your story, please feel free to do so. If you'd like, you can create your own thread by clicking 'Start a topic' in the top right corner. I am sure the community would love to know more about how you have been managing your daughter's anxiety and schooling ... View more

No worries at all @alsark, we just like to let people know that our referrals and resources are limited to Australia. You are still most welcome to continue posting on our forum. I am sorry to hear that the resources in your area are not helpful. It sounds like your time with the child is precious and provides them with a break from their home. Do you have any avenues for expressing your concerns or opinion about the child and/or their treatment? We are also glad to hear that you are looking after yourself throughout this! It can be hard to support a family when resources are limited. ... View more

Hey @OldestSister143, thank you so much for your response. It is great to hear that you have a lot of support. I am wondering if there is anything you do to look after yourself when things are stressful? It sounds like you have got a great relationship with the kids and that the lines of communication are open, which is really awesome to hear. It sounds like they really trust you and are honest with you about how they are feeling. I am wondering if you have thought of chatting to a doctor about the anixety and asthma that your 15 year old sister is experiencing? All the best and please feel most welcome to keep us updated ... View more

Hi @Lenny80, thank you so much for posting this question. I am sorry to hear about your son and his difficulties with school and social anxiety. I am wondering if you have talked to a psychologist? If so, have they been able to make any recommendations? I have found a website which mentions flexible learning options and have also Googled 'alternative schools' which reveals some results. Apologies if this is something you have already tried.   Just letting you know that I had to edit some of your location out of your post as our service is intended to be anonymous.   Please feel welcome to keep us updated  ... View more

Hi @flowerss706, welcome to ReachOut and thank you for sharing your story. We are sorry to hear that you are really struggling at the moment. It can be difficult to manage these behaviours, not to mention experiencing COVID and home schooling on top of it. I am wondering if you have sought any professional help before? Just so you know, you are most welcome to make your own thread to further share your story. This can sometimes generate a larger response from other parents on here as you can choose your own title with prominent keywords. You can do this by clicking 'Start a topic' in the top right hand corner. Please keep us updated ... View more

Hi @marti, thank you so much for sharing your wisdom with us. It is lovely to see the kind support you are showing others on this forum. I am sorry that you have had to cut ties with your own mother and that this has negatively impacted your life. As we have all touched on, it is never an easy thing to do but sometimes it feels like it is the most beneficial decision for you and your situation. Please feel welcome to continuing sharing your story and showing support to others ... View more

Hi @Charms1302, welcome to ReachOut and thank you so much for sharing. Mediate and yoga are some really great strategies to manage stress and wellbeing. Also, a lot of parents struggle with managing their teen;s social media use. If you'd like to share more about your situation, please feel welcome to create your own thread by clicking 'Start a topic' in the top right hand corner ... View more

Hi @Sophia and @RuralMum85, thank you both for sharing your experience here. Having no contact with parents is definitely challenging and can take some adjusting. My thoughts are with you both as it can be such an upsetting experience, especially when raising little ones. Please feel welcome to keep chatting here or create your own thread. You can do that by clicking 'Start a topic' in the top right corner. @RuralMum85, I am so sorry to hear that your Mum is manipulative and narcissistic. That must be so difficult for you to deal with that, on top of your own issues. It is hard but sometimes you have to look after yourself first and set boundaries, as you have mentioned ... View more

Hello @M-uber, thank you so much for sharing. I noticed that you are a new user here - welcome aboard! Please feel free to share more of your story if you feel comfortable. Are there any other strategies you have tried that have worked? It must have been challenging to try to get it right ... View more

Hi @Loretta, congratulations on your new baby! It is great that you are meeting some new Mums - that can be hard to accomplish with a young one. Having no contact with your family can be tough and even more difficult to talk about. It comes down to what you are comfortable sharing, especially with people you have just met. You can keep it vague and say that you aren't close with your family, that you don't keep in contact with them or that you would prefer to not chat about your relationships with your family. You aren't obliged to share anything if you feel uncomfortable or if the question is too personal I know it is challenging to navigate this topic with new people but please know you aren't alone. Family relationships are complex and therefore people may be more likely to be understanding. If they are judgemental towards you or your situation, then it is possible that this type of person may not be someone you want in your life anyway. Please feel welcome to post on other threads and keep us updated with your situation. ... View more

Hi @Danissa_1416, thank you so much for posting this question. I am so sorry to hear that your children have gone to sleep crying on very special days. That must be heart breaking to experience as a parent. I am wondering if you have thought of treating visits as a 'surprise' for the kids? That way there may be less expectation and disappointment if their Dad does not show up. How do you think a court order would help to change his behaviour?   We also have some resources which you might find valuable if you are needing more support. You can contact Parent Line or Parents Beyond Breakup  for support over the phone. Please know that our service is aimed for parents of children aged 12-18, therefore some resources may not be relevant to you. Nevertheless, you are most welcome to continue using our forums  ... View more

Hi @Noname1, thank you for sharing your story. That sounds like a really difficult position to be in as a parent. You can tell that you really care about your children and want what is best for them. There is no wrong or right decision - all you can do is make a decision based on what you think is best for your family right now. That doesn't mean that your next step will be easy to take - so I don't blame you for needing a little reassurance. Have you thought of attending counselling either as a couple or individually? There is also a service called Parent Line which also offers telephone support. Please feel welcome to keep us updated Hopefully you recieve some support from the community soon.  ... View more

Hi @sadmom1, it is great that you find the support here really valuable. We love having your apart of our forums. I am sorry to hear that your eldest son was the target of abuse from your ex. It must have been a really tricky situation for him to try and navigate. It is great that your eldest son can confide in your youngest son though - it is important to have a great support network. Hopefully he is able to engage in therapy when he feels ready. It also must be hard for your family to deal with your ex reaching out again. This is where boundaries can definitely be tested and it can add a lot of pressure and stress.. especially at this time of year. How do you find yourself managing this kind of behaviour? It must be really challenging. ... View more

Hi @parentoftwo, thank you so much for joining our community. We are so glad to have you on board. It sounds like your family has been on quite the journey. I can only imagine how difficult it has been to navigate all these challenges. I am sorry to hear that it has left you feeling hopeless and helpless at times It is really great to hear that your son has made some progress and noticed improvement in areas of his life. Sometimes these things can take time and mental health journeys can be more like a rollercoaster rather than a gentle boat ride. For that reason, it can seem like there is a long way to go, however it is also important to recognise how far you have come. Is this something you have talked to your partner about?    It sounds like there are positives and negatives to your son attending school, is that right? What do you think is the best decision in that situation? You sound like a really wonderful and loving parent who wants the best for their child. I can tell that you have really tried your best to get your son support and to be in tune with his needs. I am wondering if you have thought of seeking therapy for yourself? Parents can easily find themselves burnt out so it is important to have your own support network and things you can do to take care of yourself. What would this include for you?   If you do need some extra support, we always encourage parents to give Parent Line a ring. They have some helpful referrals and resources which may be relevant to you.    Please feel most welcome to keep us updated  ... View more

Hi @LoveArt81, welcome to ReachOut. Please feel welcome to share more about what is happening in your life - we would love to hear more! ... View more

Hi @Blue_fire, thank you so much for updating us. It sounds like it has been a massive journey for your family. Being involved with all these different services shows how caring and attentive you are as a parent. It is also really great that the support your child has been receiving has been really helpful. It seems like they benefit from smaller classes and program. I am wondering about what you do when your child is feeling suicidal or engaging in self-harm? Do you think you will be able to get a place in a small unit class? It seems that there has been some improvement with school attendance, is that right? ... View more

Hi @Mother_of_6kids, thank you so much for sharing and welcome to our forums. It sounds like you are in a really tough situation that has been stressful for your family. I can hear how much your heart is breaking at the thought of your son moving. It sounds like it is something that really makes you feel worried and stressed out. It is great that you have asked your son how you can help him - that is usually the best way to find out. Sometimes kids don't know the answer to that question which can put you in a tough spot as a parent. I am wondering if you think your son may benefit from talking to a counsellor? Also, is this something you have thought of doing for yourself? Being a parent can be really challenging and it is important to have your own support network to drawn on when needed  I am also wondering if your son has mentioned any reasons as to why he wants to live with his grandma? Please feel welcome to keep posting here to keep us updated ... View more

Hi @ms_alwayssad, thank you so much for sharing and welcome to our forum. We would love to hear more about your experience with your children and how we can best support you. You are most welcome to create your own thread by clicking 'Start a topic' in the top right corner Please keep us updated. ... View more

Hi @upsetmum, I am so sorry to hear about the situation that you are going through. I imagine it must be so stressful and upsetting for you as a parent. It must be so difficult for you to be triggered by your daughter's behaviour. You aren't alone - this can be really common in parents who have separated. It can add an extra layer of emotions to an already charged situation. I am sure this may be something you have thought of but I am wondering if you know the girls she is with and if you are able to reach them or their parents? If you become worried for your daughter's safety, you could call the police to conduct a welfare check. It might be worth keeping in mind that this can increase the tension in the relationship, so only do so if you are feeling concerned.    You could also look into some support for yourself to assist in dealing with this ongoing situation. You could contact Parents Line which is a telephone service or head to the GP to start the process to see a psychologist. For your daughter, you could also just make her aware of the services that are available to her in case she ever feels like reaching out. We also have an anonymous youth forum which she may like to post in and a list of relevant services here.   Please feel welcome to keep us updated  ... View more