Hey there @JD0902 and welcome to ReachOut :) Just letting you know that I did remove the double-ups of your post.    Sometimes there isn't a reason someone is rude or disrespectful, which can make it difficult when someone acts that way towards you. You mentioned that you've done a lot for your parents and in-laws, are they people you'd feel comfortable talking to about how you've been feeling? Talking to others about how we're feeling can help us with finding strategies to help cope.    Recently, we have been doing Ask a Young Person segments and I thought this one on why does my daughter hate me might be useful for you, what do you think?    Have you been to see someone, such as a counselor or psychologist about how you feel? They may be able to help you find coping strategies to help with those feelings. You can also try USA's National Parent Helpline for support if face-to-face isn't something that interests you. Do you think that's something you could try?   I'm also going to tag in some users who have posted about this topic before:  @JAKGR8 @mrskode @PapaBill @sunflowermom  ... View more

Hi there @Justamum and welcome to ReachOut :)   It's wonderful to hear that you still have a great friendship with your kids dad. As @Mssassy has already said, it can be so helpful for kids to see both of their parents being able to get along. For some couples, separating can be difficult on both parties and the kids, but it sounds like you both did what was best for you and it sounds like it's going well :)   I'm sorry to hear that your partner doesn't like that you do things with your ex. Often, as you've said, partners can believe that something will happen and it can be difficult to help them understand. Perhaps it might help if your partner organises a gathering? Sometimes being in control of the location and event can help ease the anxiety of a meeting. What do you think?   It can also help to talk to other people, such as a professional, about what's going on. Do you think that's something you or your partner would be interested in?   I'm also going to tag in some other users for their support :) @taokat @sunflowermom @Happy @Schooner @compassion @Faob_1  ... View more

Hi @Dj1234 I am really feeling for what you are going through right now.  While I have not experienced my daughter sending pics she has still made some really bad choices in a sexual context and she was only 14.  I don't think the teenage brain has any idea about the consequences of their actions.  They are so caught up in the moment.  My daughters risky and impulsive behavior scares me immensely. Its hard to bring it up as a conversation and work through and discuss the implications.  I grieve, I'm disappointed and feel the shift of innocence in my child.  It hurts. ... View more

Thank you @Caz01 and @sunflowermom. Yes, it certainly feels like this rollercoaster will never end, it's just one thing after another at the moment! My daughter was put back on her previous medication which was something, but turned up for her work placement for tafe on Monday and they didn't know she was coming. Tafe not only hadn't confirmed her placement despite giving her all the details, they hadn't even bothered to email the workplace in regards to changing my daughter's hours the previous week.    It's just one battle after the next with a child with mental health issues and I'm just exhausted, emotionally, mentally and physically.    @Caz01 any kind of exercise I think has some benefit I think! It's time out from everything else that's going on and does get those feel good chemicals flowing. That's great you've been able to continue working, although I bet being self-employed comes with it's own pressures as well.   I'm going to have a look at the apps as well, thanks for sharing guys  ... View more

Hi @Jupiter   We have some close family friends with a daughter that was really socially awkward for a long time. She struggled to bond with people that she did not know well. The toughest thing was for people to firstly get to know her.    They managed to find a counsellor / coach who worked with her to develop all those social skills in meeting new people that help someone starting out with a new group. Maybe this is an approach you could take with your son? Some coaching in how to approach a new group, say a team or a new group.    Just food for thought.    ... View more

Hi everyone thanks for your support . I just wanted to share that my daughter and myself have had 2 good days. A lot has to do with my attitude. Today I was able to go to the river after work and relax a bit before I went home. I was able to come home feeling good and not reacting to things so easily. We had a chat this week when things were calm and was able to get from my daughter that her studies(yr 12) are stressing her out and also my reactions and my moods. So I have to admit to her, myself and you guys that my reactions made her more withdrawn and we unfortunately were always at each other because we were BOTH moody and irritable, this was so hard for me to realise. I really have to take a long hard look at myself and try to improve this as I think I have been living on edge for quite a long time . I actually have anxiety too which I guess feeds off her anxiety. Urgh. Any way none of us are perfect but we need to look at how we are speaking and reacting as we can be unknowingly hindering communication with our teen. Good luck guys.Thanks for listening enjoy your weekend 😊 ... View more

Hi Hippy Chic , good to hear he is doing well. You sound very supportive of him. Nothing wrong with not partying or playing footy he will find something he enjoys. There is so much pressure for kids to be like everyone else but friends have told me the individual quirky kids fit in great at uni or work. ... View more