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Home and families

Home and families

Home and familiesAll families have problems and there’s no such thing as a normal family. But sometimes there are problems that you can't fix by talking to your family. Maybe your parents are fighting, or you're having a hard time with someone else in your family. Sometimes people in families can hurt each other emotionally or physically.

It can be hard to know what to do. But remember, whatever the problem is, you can always talk to us about it.

 
 
 
 
 

Family relationships

Each family is different. They are made up of different people, with different needs, ideas and ways of behaving. This can make a family a special group, but can also mean that getting on together is not always easy. Young people often talk to ChildLine about their families - it can be how much they enjoy their family but also can be about feeling left out or that they don’t get on with them. Read more about Family relationships

Domestic Violence

Domestic violence is aggression or violence that happens in the home when a grown up attacks or threatens another adult in the family. Domestic violence can also describe violence or abuse in young people’s relationships. Read more about Domestic Violence

Divorce and separation

Separation or splitting up is when two adults who have been in a relationship decide to live apart and end their relationship.  This might be a temporary arrangement, and may get back together in the future, or they may decide to  split up forever.

Divorce is the legal end of a marriage. This means that two people who are currently married decide to get a divorce. When someone is divorced, this means that they are free to get married again.

Read more about Divorce and separation

Living in care

Living in care is when you live away from your parents, either with foster parents, other family members, in a care home, a residential school or secure accommodation. This might be for a short time or it might be more permanent. If you have brothers and sisters and they also need to live away from home then whenever possible Social Services will try to find somewhere for you to stay together. Young people who live in care are sometimes called ‘looked after children’. Read more about Living in care

Stepfamilies

Stepfamilies come together when parents marry again or live with a new partner. It can also mean that children from different families end up living together for all or part of the time. Read more about Stepfamilies

Mother's Day

Mother’s Day is a celebration of all mums and a chance to show your Mum that you love and appreciate her.  If you get on with your Mum then it’s a great time to show her you care. Read more about Mother's Day

Father's Day

Father’s Day is a celebration of all dads and a chance to show your Dad that you love and appreciate him.  If you get on with your Dad then it’s a great time to show him you care.  It’s not always easy though if you don’t get on with your Dad, or he’s not around for some reason.  It can make Father’s Day a difficult time of year from some people. Read more about Father's Day

Forced marriage

A forced marriage is one where people are made to get married against their will. It may also involve physical or emotional abuse. Read more about Forced marriage

Homelessness & running away

Homelessness is having nowhere to live. A runaway is someone who has run away or is seriously thinking about running away. Read more about Homelessness & running away

 
 
 
 
 

Ask Sam

Sexual abuse

Sexual abuse

Is there an age limit on say...sexual abuse???

i mean could you be 16 and still get sexually abused and so on...

Read more
Write a letter to Ask Sam
 
 
 
 
 

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Home and families

On this page you will find links to information about issues related to home and families.  If you would like to read more about an issue, click on the title to go through to the information page.  If you can't find the issue you want to find out about, you can try the site search or go back to the Explore page to look at other issues.