Relationships - Families

Family Relationships

Stepfamilies

If your Mum or Dad marry again or live with a new partner you could end up with a stepfamily - you might get on really well but sometimes coping with stepfamilies can be difficult.

A new stepfamily can mean:

  • Seeing less of one of your real parents
  • Different rules and expectations
  • Moving house and losing friends
  • New ways of doing things
  • Less privacy; for example, sharing a bedroom

You might feel…

  • worried that you aren’t loved as much as your step brothers and sisters
  • envious that your Mum or Dad is giving all their attention to their new partner
  • guilty if you do get on with your stepfamily – because you feel your other parent is getting a raw deal

Remember - it can be a difficult time for step-parents too – they have to be a parent for a person they may hardly know.

If you feel down, if possible, talk to your real parent about how you feel – they may not have realised how upset or hurt you feel and will want to try and help.

Ask your Personal Adviser to put you in touch with a counsellor who you can talk to - just talking about it can sometimes make you feel better.

Contacts and Helplines

Childline will listen to you and take your feelings seriously and calls are confidential
Tel: 0800 1111

Adoption

If you are adopted you have a right to apply for your birth certificate and attempt to trace your birth parents once you reach 18. You might also want to trace brothers or sisters who you have not known either because they or you were adopted.
There are organisations that can offer support to you and help you deal with the emotions you might face if you decide to do this.

Contacts and Helplines

Talk Adoption Helpline for young people under 26 to talk about anything to do with adoption.
Tel: 0800 808 1234 (Mon-Friday 3-9)

Caring for Family Members

If you spend a lot of your time looking after a member of your family who is ill, disabled or elderly you may find that you miss out on opportunities that other young people take for granted such as education, being with friends and planning a career.

The organisations listed here can provide support to enable you to balance your own needs with the needs of the person you are caring for.

Contacts and Helplines

Barnados CareFree Young Carers' Project - Practical and emotional support for young carers
Tel: 0116 286 7182
carefree@barnados.org.uk

Loughborough Time Out Young Carers
Mountfields Lodge Youth Centre, Epinal Way
Tel: 01509 236043

Last Updated: 27-Jun-2007

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