About Claire-RO

Claire-RO · ‎08-02-2021

Hi @Baryl11 I thought I would jump on and share my experiences. Firstly I am so sorry to hear about your loss its so tough! I actually lost my mum at 12 and then my step mum at 26. Its so great to see that you are reaching out for support it shows how much you about your child! I hope that you have been able to get some support for yourself as grief is hard to go through alone. I guess from my perspective what I really needed when I lost my mum and step mum was time to grieve and have moments to talk about them. I found my self in a position where I wasn't able to show my emotions or talk about the parents I had lost as I felt like I would upset my dad. I really needed reassurance that I could be upset and it wouldn't impact my parents and that my feelings are valid. Even as the years have passed I still miss them and have emotional days and that is so normal. I think allowing space for conversation without feeling like you are a burden or too much can mean so much to a young person who has lost a parent. I hope this helps and that things get easier for you both

Claire-RO · ‎10-26-2020

Hi @JC707 I am so sorry to hear what you and your family have been through, it sounds like both you and your partner are such kind and caring parents. I thought I would share with you my own experience I had when I was the same age as your daughter. I had been through a lot and was really going through a tough time and I became suicidal l when I was about 12 or 13. Unfortunately my dad and step mum didn't really give me the support I needed. What i needed most was to be heard and not judged and know that i was loved unconditionally. I think by coming here and seeking support you are already doing a fantastic job, and it sounds like I could have used someone like you in my corner when i was a kid. i hope you are taking time to look after yourself as this such a difficult thing to go through.

Claire-RO · ‎04-03-2020

Ask a Child and Family Professional Question: “Hi I have a daughter turning 14 this month and she has just started to drink alcohol she has been honest and open with it. There are so many views on teenage drinking I'm pretty relaxed and believe you are better of knowing what your teen is up too rather than being lied to. Some advice would be helpful.” __________________________________________________ Hi, this is a really difficult question to answer. Firstly the legal drinking age in all Australian states is 18, so firstly we can’t condone underage drinking. There are also penalties for supplying alcohol to minors, these vary state to state….. With that out of the way its really important to be honest with your teen about your opinions of their activities. This isn’t the time for lectures rather a time to ask them what their thoughts are on the subject of underage drinking, what they are doing when they drink, do they feel safe and the allowing your self time to listen and consider their perspective. After you have both had some time to think it can then be good to arrange a time to sit down with your teen and explain your perspectives and your thoughts on their drinking. This isn’t going to be an easy conversation remembering that teenagers normally consider scenarios from an emotional irrational perspective vs an adults rational logical perspective. Consider this if you are trying to come at the conversation from a purely factual angle, your teen probably knows the rules and right from wrong, what they may not know if why you are making the decisions you are making and your reasoning behind them. Helping your teen to understand your perspective allows them to better understand a situation and hopefully make informed decision based on fact rather than speculation and assumption. The choice going forwards is yours to make but having as much information about your teenagers perspective as well as your teen knowing where you stand is going to help both of you moving forwards as you navigate this together. Below are some resources from ReachOut.com to give some more perspectives. https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/things-to-try-alcohol/what-parents-think-about-drugs-and-alcohol https://parents.au.reachout.com/common-concerns/everyday-issues/alcohol-and-teenagers https://au.reachout.com/everyday-issues/alcohol-and-drugs Child & Family Professional, The Benevolent Society Speak with a professional now We also partner with The Benevolent Society to offer free personalised one-on-one support for parents and carers of teens over the phone and online. For more information: https://parents.au.reachout.com/one-on-one-support

Claire-RO · ‎03-12-2020

Hi @Veynna I am really sorry to hear what you have been through with your parents, that sounds really tough! You sound like you are such a strong and caring person especially when it comes to your family. You spoke about being at college, do they provide any counselling services, they might be able to talk though with you what has happened when you were a kid and what't happening now. I did just edit your post as we are an anonymous service, you can check out our community guidelines here I did just want to let you know that ReachOut parents forum is for parents of 12-18 year olds.

Claire-RO · ‎02-18-2020

Hey @3ansonclose It sounds like this is a tricky situation. I can hear that you are really wanting to support your daughter but you are also worried about the toll the relationship is taking on her. It sounds like you are trying to see the best in the relationship and that you understand that your daughters boyfriend has been going through a hard time. It sounds like you are creating a space where your daughter can be open with you which she will really appreciate it.

Claire-RO · ‎01-31-2020

Hi @newtoparenting It sounds like this is new territory for you, and it so great that you have come here to see what other parents have been through. What do you think about talking to the school about any of your concerns?

Claire-RO · ‎01-24-2020

Hi @Bishy71 I can really hear how tough things are for you at the moment, that decision would have been so difficult to make. As @Curious87 has said take a moment as this must all be overwhelming, do you have people in your life you can talk to about this situation?

Claire-RO · ‎12-06-2019

Hi @Fullhouse Thanks for sharing what has been happening for you and your concerns about your sons and their sexual activity. It is great to hear that you have an open dialogue with them and want to be open to how you can best support them. In terms of having different girls come by, what are you concerned about? It sounds like you have discussed with your sons the importance of consent and respect. I am sure there are other parents that have come across this situation before. @PapaBill@JAKGR8 @Dad4good

Claire-RO · ‎12-06-2019

Hi @Froggirl I can hear how much you feel conflicted right now, and that finding the bong and drugs has been really distressing for you. Coming here to seek support shows how much you want to support your son. I am sure there will be a number of parents on here that have been through something similar. You are being so thoughtful in how you approach the topic especially when it comes to trust with your son, we have some resources here about talking to your teen about drugs. We also recently had a Facebook Live Event where we had an expert talk through discussing drugs and alcohol with your teen

Claire-RO · ‎12-06-2019

Hi @millsc I am really sorry to hear that you have been having such a tough time with your daughter's dad and her health. It sounds like you are really caring and trying to give her some joy on her birthday. Unfortunately as we are an anonymous service, and can't share personal information, I also had to remove you other post as it was a duplicate, for more information you can check out our community guidelines here

Claire-RO · ‎11-21-2019

Hi @UnhappyHouse This sounds like a really difficult situation for your whole family, and you are right that yourself and your mum don't deserve to be abused. From what you have said you are really worried about your mum and your brother as he is not getting the help that he needs. It is so hard being a single parent and your mum sounds so resilient. I know you spoke about wanting your mum to call the police and if you are worried about everyone's safety that makes total sense, it is understandable that your mum might be hesitant about doing that for fear of the repercussion for your brother. It sounds like both you and your mum are really trying to do all that you can to be there for your brother. I know you spoke about neither of you have contact with your dad anymore, I was wondering what other supports your family has? Is there someone that you brother really trusts that might be able to talk to him or spend sometime with him? 1800Respect is an Australian service that provides confidential information, counselling and support that you may find helpful. It is really brave to share what is happening for your family, we are here to listen

Claire-RO · ‎10-22-2019

Check out the great conversation the ReachOut Parents Live panel had about about rules and boundaries with your teen. Share your experiences and tips here!

Claire-RO · ‎08-29-2019

Text version Ask a young person! Parent question: "How can I talk to my teen about dating and relationships?" Youth Answers: "I can only speak for my own experiences, so my suggestions might not fit your situation. What I would find helpful is having a parent, family member or another trusted person be open to me coming to them for advice. If a family member was supportive of my choices every time I came to them for advice, I was more likely to confide in them in the future. Most teenagers don't want to feel as if they are being made to feel bad about themselves or their sexuality. I think most teens would want to have someone who they feel is on their side... I would personally find it beneficial to have a parent tell me that I could talk to them about anything and that I would be supported no matter what. I think it's wise to keep in mind that social norms are different for each generation. The rules regarding relationships and dating are constantly being rewritten. Just because something was acceptable in your generation does not mean that it is acceptable in theirs, so saying things like 'When I was your age...' might not be helpful for them. There are also new issues that previous generations might not have had to deal with, such as sexting, cyberbullying, social media and increased awareness of gender and sexuality. Perhaps you could do some research or ask them what is considered 'normal' for them. You could also discuss peer pressure. I have known some teens who felt pressured to get into relationships by their friends. It's important to emphasise that this isn't a good reason to date someone. You could discuss the signs that could indicate when someone is ready to have a relationship. Another important issue you could talk to them about is abuse in relationships and how to have healthy relationshipd. You could discuss what the possible signs of abuse are and where they could get support about these issues. I missed a talk like this growing up and therefore didn't recognise when I was being taken advantage of. The Line is a good resource for information about these issues. Maybe you and your teen could brainstorm what would make a good partner together. Parents also need to be aware that there is a lot of misinformation and urban myths about teenage relationships and sexual activity... Not every teen is eager to get into a relationship or having sex. It's important not to assume that your teenager is." - WheresMySquishy (Youth Volunteer) Our youth volunteers have shared their thoughts, what are yours? What are your tips for talking to teens about dating and relationships? What's worked well, and what could have been done differently ?

Claire-RO · ‎08-29-2019

Ask a young person! Parent question: "How can I talk to my teen about dating and relationships?" Our youth volunteers have shared their thoughts, what are yours? What are your tips for talking to teens about dating and relationships? What's worked well, and what could have been done differently?

Claire-RO · ‎08-29-2019

Hi @Missnrc Welcome to the forums. There may be some parents on here that can share some tips for what you are facing right now, and it can be so tricky when you have the kids only part of the time, routine falls by the way side. I did just want to let you know that we are mainly a forum for parents who have children 12 - 18 years old

Claire-RO · ‎08-28-2019

Hi @SMS77 That sounds really tough, and I can hear how worried you are about this. It can be really hard when children don't open up about what is happening for them especially when it comes to suicide. Whilst it is upsetting they are not speaking with you about this, it is a positive step that he feels he can speak to his friends about it. The fact that you know that he is speaking to his friends and you are checking in with him are all great ways to support him. We have some really helpful resources here for parents when talking to their teens about suicide. I really encourage you to have a look, also keep speaking with your son and let him know that you are there to listen to him when he is ready, which I am sure you are already doing Let him know the kids helpline and lifeline are services that can talk through suicidal thoughts and he can have those conversations in private. You are not alone

Claire-RO · ‎08-20-2019

Special Discussion: Top Tips: Communicating with Teens It’s often said that communication is the key to a healthy relationship. While it might sound like tired advice, it’s a skill worth learning that will help us do better in all our relationships. As your child grows up, the way you communicate with them will need to change to reflect the new boundaries in your relationship created by their increasing independence. Discovering these new and different approaches to communicating effectively with one another will be a learning experience for you both. Effective communication with your teenager can help you both feel happier and more connected in your relationship, and more confident about having difficult conversations and resolving conflicts. You can read more about effective communication and teenagers here Check out Psychologist Clare Rowe tips on creating quality and effective conversations that can help your teenager to open up about their feelings. Activity What are your top tips for communicating effectively with your teens?

Claire-RO · ‎08-16-2019

Hey All Thought it would be good share some of the discussions we have been having with on the youth forum about sexuality and being a part of the bisexual and pansexual community.

Claire-RO · ‎08-15-2019

Text Version Ask a young person! Parent question: "My daughter has never been in trouble before and was caught shoplifting. I grounded her for the weekend. I just heard her arranging to have a boy pick her up and go to a party. I rearranged my plans to stay home and try to keep her home. What could be going on with my daughter and what can I do to support her?" Youth Answer: "Sorry to hear that your daughter was caught shoplifting. Since you've mentioned previously that your daughter has never been in trouble before, it is quite odd behaviour of her to engage in shoplifting. Have you had a check in with your daughter to see if she is okay at the moment? From my experience, there was one instance where I knew someone who was going through a tough time and so they were engaging in "rebellious" behaviour to cope with it. Maybe this could be happening to your daughter as well? As for your daughter making plans to go to a party, perhaps a possible reason why she decided to do this is due to you grounding her? Of course, she needs to know the repercussions of her actions and so I can see why you chose to ground her. However, I was wondering if you explained to her why you've grounded her for the weekend? You could address to her (if you haven't done so already) why shoplifting is never okay and explain why you've chosen to ground her so that she will never shoplift again. However, I think the most important thing is that you let her know that you're always open for a chat or support if she needs it. Hope that helps! Good luck" - Esperanza67 (Youth Volunteer) Submit your question here. We have over 10 young people ready and willing to share their thoughts and experiences! Our youth volunteers have shared their thoughts, what are yours? Have you been through something similar with your teen? How did you approach the situation?

Claire-RO · ‎08-15-2019

Ask a young person! Parent question: "My daughter has never been in trouble before and was caught shoplifting. I grounded her for the weekend. I just heard her arranging to have a boy pick her up and go to a party. I rearranged my plans to stay home and try to keep her home. What could be going on with my daughter and what can I do to support her?" Submit your question here. We have over 10 young people ready and willing to share their thoughts and experiences! Our youth volunteers have shared their thoughts, what are yours? Have you been through something similar with your teen? How did you approach the situation?

Claire-RO · ‎08-09-2019

Today for self care I am going to catch up with a friend, once work clocks off

Claire-RO · ‎08-07-2019

We all lead busy lives, spending “quality” time with your teens can sometimes be hard to fit in. This week we thought we would look at ways you can make the most of the time you do spend with your teen. Whist fun and exciting activities are great, sometimes doing the regular stuff together can be just as rewarding. Check out this list of 50 fun and positive activities Activity What are some ways that you make the most of your time with your teen? What are some activities you do that you and your teen enjoy?

Claire-RO · ‎08-07-2019

@PapaBill what a great plan I am sure that really motivated the kids to get to bed on time

Claire-RO · ‎08-02-2019

International Day of Friendship- 30th July 2019! We are a few days late but we couldn't let this special day pass without celebrating on the forums! What is International Day of Friendship all about? International Day of Friendship stems from the work of UNESCO and the UN who in 1997 brought forward a proposal to promote international peace and prevent world conflict. There was a recognition in the years following that reducing conflict involves a strong focus on educating the next generation, young people and children, about peace, harmony and friendship. From the important work on peace that has happened globally over the last 20 years, International Day of Friendship was announced in 2011 to celebrate friendship between people, cultures and countries, in the hope that friendship will help to build peace and connect people from all backgrounds! International Day of Friendship is all about building social connections between people for a better, brighter, and more peaceful global future! As young people and the next generation of leaders, we have a role to place in ensuring world peace What can I do to get involved in International Day of Friendship? Reach out to those around you Start conversations about your interests, shared experiences and passions Listen to others, try to understand different perspectives and challenge yourself to be open to new ideas and ways of seeing the world Hold space for those in your life to come to you and share their views/thoughts/feelings/ideas Let your friends know that you value them Share the importance of International Day of Friendship, and it's history, with those around you to educate others about steps they can take to promote international peace through friendship Want to learn more about the International Day of friendship? Check out information on the UN website here, and see the release from 2011 declaring International Day of Friendship here Activity time!: What is the role and value of friendship in your life? How can friendship help to promote peace and harmony? What will you do this International Friendship Day to celebrate the friendships in your life __________ Check out our community activities calendar for August 2019 here

Claire-RO · ‎08-02-2019

Part 2: What can parents do to support a teen who is stressed about the future? In Part 1 we heard from young people about what they are stressed about and why. Now lets open the discussion to helpful tips to use when your teen is stressed. There are some great suggestions here about helping your child to develop coping skills for stress, and you can read about ways young people calm themselves when they feel stressed here. The future can be a point of significant stress for young people. So what can you do if your teen is stressed about the future, how can you help? Activity 2: If your teen has been stressed about the future how have you supported them? What has worked well for you and your teen when dealing with stress?

Claire-RO · ‎08-01-2019

What's happening in August 2019? Sleep awareness week discussion: National sleep awareness week starts on the 5th of August, so with that in mind, we thought it would be good to open the conversation up around how we can improve sleep for ourselves and for your young people. Ask a Young Person: This week our youth volunteers were busy answering a few more questions! There are some really insightful responses coming - if you have a question and would like a youth perspective, you can submit a question here. Parent and Teen Wellbeing Activity: Every fortnight we will be posting a wellbeing activity that parents and teens can do together as a family. If you have any ideas of activities, we would love to hear your thoughts! Special Discussion: Communicating with teens can be hard to navigate, so we will be looking at some top tips to make this process easier. We will be referring to some of Reachout resources, what young people have told us, and want you to share your tips as well. Wear it Purple Day : We will celebrate this day by reflecting on the special discussion we have had about sexuality as well some of the key take aways from discussions on our youth forum about sexuality, as well as bisexual and gender diverse communities. Is there a topic you would like to see as a special discussion? Let us know what you would like to see!

Claire-RO · ‎08-01-2019

Ask a young person! Parent question: "What do I do when my daughter is becoming sexually active?" Submit your question here. We have over 10 young people ready and willing to share their thoughts and experiences! Our youth volunteers have shared their thoughts, what are yours? Have you been through something similar with your teen? How did you approach the situation?

Claire-RO · ‎07-25-2019

Hi @Online123 Welcome to the parents forum. That sounds like a worrying situation, upsetting for you and your son, as well as the concerns around being threatened. Is your son under 18? In any case the best approach would be to contact the police, they should have a department that specialise in online crime so touch base with them. Hopefully you can get the support that you need, there may be some other parents here that have been through something similar and can provide some suggestions in how you can support yourself and your son in this difficult time

Claire-RO · ‎07-18-2019

Hi @mommyof3 Welcome to the forum and thank you for being so open It sounds you have been having a challenging time with your son at the moment, and reaching out for support is great step. This is a safe place, we are here to listen and offer support. From what you have said it must be difficult to see a change in your son and not knowing what is going on for them must be hard. There are many members here that have had similar experiences and are here to offer support. Can you tell us a bit more about your support network, do you or your son have people you can talk to about what is happening at the moment?

Claire-RO · ‎07-18-2019

Hi @Stepmom-1 Firstly welcome to ReachOut. Thank you for being so open and sharing your experiences here. I can hear that you are really supportive of your step son. It can be really challenging motivating young people when it comes to school work. You also spoke about only having him stay with you a few more weeks, which I can imagine makes things even more difficult. There will be other members here that have had a similar experience. You have said that your step son is 10, here on the parent forum we are focused on supporting parents and their young people aged 12-18, however you may find this resource helpful as a way to open up a discussion with your step son about school and what motivates him. You are not alone

Date Registered	‎05-31-2019 09:41 AM
Date Last Visited	‎12-03-2021 06:19 PM
Total Messages Posted	40
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Date Last Visited	‎12-03-2021 06:19 PM

About Claire-RO

About Claire-RO

About Claire-RO

Re: Did your teen lose a parent before the age of ...

Re: My 13 year old attempted suicide

Underage drinking: What is the best approach

Re: Parental Emotional Abuse

Re: Daughters boyfriend is not that nice... Any su...

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Re: Teenager with Anger issues

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Relationships: How to talk to your teen about dat...

Re: Clingy Mr 2

Re: 18yo son talking suicide to friends then denie...

Top Tips: Communicating with Teens

Re: Supporting teens with their sexuality

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How to support your teen when things are feeling o...

Re: Today for self-care I...

Wellbeing Activity- Making the most of time with y...

Re: Special Discussion: Sleep Awareness Week

International Day of Friendship 2019

Re: Stress about the Future: How to help your teen

Re: What's happening this month? Monthly calendar ...

How to speak to your teen about becoming sexually ...

Re: Online Scam

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Re: My child does not listen or pay attention