Family Breakdown

Families come in all kinds of combinations but it can be a really upsetting, confusing and stressful time when relationships between family members break down. If there are disagreements or arguments, this can make home life really tough which can impact on you feel, how you cope at school/college and even whether you want to hang out with friends.

Lots of young people worry about their parents/carers and siblings during a separation or when there are arguments. It can also be really hard if your parents separate and one of them meets a new partner. Some young people may have to move house or live with new people. Some young people may worry about how often they might see their family or worry about how the family might cope. It is not uncommon that some young people worry if their parents have enough money. It’s not uncommon for young people to worry about whether parents separating are their fault. It’s important to remember there are many reasons why situations and relationships change and blaming yourself will only make you feel worse.

When families experience a separation or a big change it can take a while for all family members to understand, process and adjust to these changes. There is no right or wrong way to feel, think or behave; everyone processes change differently. Some days you may feel more able to cope than other days. It is important to be kind to yourself and aware that some family members may struggle more than others with the changes.