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Families
Family life is often a bit up and down but big changes like families splitting up or joining together can be a testing time for everyone.
Sometimes, splitting up means you have to move house or school and have to make new friends at a time when you're feeling a bit fragile anyway. And sometimes you end up in turmoil because you don't want to upset anyone but keep getting put in difficult situations.
It's never going to be easy but talking through things with others can help you come to terms with things and decide how you want to manage things. Some people will prefer to talk to friends or other family members, others may prefer to talk to their Personal Adviser or a counsellor. Your Personal Adviser should be able to help you see a counsellor if you want to.
If things get really bad and you need to speak to someone at an awkward time then contact Connexions Direct or Childline. You'll always find someone who will listen to you and won't judge.
Adoption
Finding out you are adopted can be a difficult thing to cope with - you may feel hurt, confused and lonely. At 18, adopted people have the right to see their adoption certificate and you may feel that you want to trace your birth parents or find out if you have any brothers or sisters. As well as you feeling strange about this your adoptive families may also feel hurt so talking things through first is a good idea. After Adoption is a good place to start if you want to find out more or chat to someone.
Maybe you've just become a parent and need a bit of support. Talk to your Personal Adviser about the type of support you could get or read the family pages on Youth Information.com for advice and ideas. Young dads can get advice too on parenthood.
Useful links:
Links to websites which give support to families.
Online advice and 24 hour helpline.
Website for people who have been adopted or for those interested in finding out more.
Lots of advice for young dads.
