Hi @NeedhelpPlz   Thank you for sharing - it sounds like you have so much love for your child and want the very best for them. You've been extremely supportive in their decision to let them leave home and for a young person, that can make a huge difference in how they feel within the world. It might even make your relationship stronger down the track.    As parents, it can be so hard to know what to do - there's no rulebook! AND when your kid hurts, you hurt. Please know that you're doing a fantastic job.   I wonder, have you considered seeking support from a family therapist? Or, perhaps, just one for yourself? They may be able to offer more specific advice or suggestions to help you manage the situation and your feelings . We also have a one-on-one support service for parents which you can register for here.    Please keep us updated on how the situation unfolds.    We are here for you.        ... View more

Hi @ODDson    You are absolutely not alone.   We have a bunch of content about how to navigate family conflict which you might find helpful to take a look at. This page has videos and articles on how to support your teen through family conflict. We also have a one-on-one support service for parents which you can register for here.    It is important to remember your son is turning into a young man, his hormones are through the roof, and his cognitive restructure is changing as his brain will develop right up until 26 years of age (25 for women). His body is also fueled with testosterone and as you mention, the disease he has managed with your help.   I am wondering firstly, is there anything the two of you enjoy doing together? Perhaps a shared experience where he doesn't feel like there's an agenda, such as - perhaps all going to a BBQ all together with your sons friends and there family. This might help with getting to know where your son will be going of an evening and and if he will be safe.    Also, your self-care is very important in this situation, what are some things you could do for yourself after your Son has overstepped boundaries and disrespected you? Do you meditate, do yoga, enjoy baths etc? It is important during this period that you feel supported too. ... View more

Hi @juryduty000    We're so glad you reached out for support on the forums - we're here for you.    It sounds like Minecraft is a game that you really enjoy and you most likely want to be able to share that with your daughter.    Maybe there could be more to this. Maybe your daughter could like Minecraft but she doesn't know how to play. Maybe you could suggest that the two of you could learn together and it could be a bonding father-daughter day. Then as a compromise, you could do something your daughter likes to do.  Do you think you could discuss this with her?   Please keep us updated.  ... View more

Hi @Monique72    Your son sounds like a really caring partner; I'm sorry that are both going through this - it must be really hard on him    Do you think there are any supports he might be open to accessing in the meantime? Do you think your son might consider some support like Kids Helpline or Headspace if he's feeling down or needs someone to talk to?    We also have some articles on our website about developing confidence and positive mindsets if he'd be interested in taking a look.   Please keep us updated. We are here for you.  ... View more

Whilst we wait for others to contribute their experiences, I just wanted to know how you are coping. Are you receiving enough support yourself whilst assisting your son? ... View more

Hi Bronte,   Thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like you care a lot about your son, and it must be difficult to see him feeling this way. You’re doing a fantastic job with reaching out for help.   This past year has been a difficult year with being in and out of lockdowns. Also starting a new school can be very daunting. Combing these two experiences together could be very overwhelming experience for your son.   I would suggest continuing to support your son by checking in on him on a regular basis and keeping those communication lines open and regularly discussing how your son feels. In regards to his new school situation, I would suggest giving it a bit of time as it takes time to make new friends and to settle in within a new school.   Does your son have any hobbies or interests outside of school? Maybe it could help with taking the pressure off your son with social anxiety. I have found with my own experience If you’re doing something that you love to do this can sometimes help alleviate anxiety and naturally attract other potential friends who like to do the same thing.   Also, another helpful resource is online support such as groups, forums, and live chat. Sometimes this can help with getting support online if an individual is experiencing social anxiety or struggling with asking for help in person. This also might be helpful to recommend to your son.   It's wonderful to hear the level of care that you have for your son and the efforts that you have made to support him. Have you been receiving any support yourself?   We're here for you and think it's wonderful that you're seeking help.   Look forward to hearing more about your situation.   ... View more