Ask Sam

A year ago I managed to get into a grammar school. Yet since then my parents and sibling keep treating me like I do not know anything. I do my homework, get good grades, behave myself. And yet they hate me. My twin brother did not get into a grammar school, messes around in class, does not do homework, bad grades, and bad report. Yet everyone prefers him. He therefore turns arrogant, and punches me if I disagree ahead him. My parents know this, but they do not seem to mind. Something tells me that this is not fair,Thank you

Hi there and thanks for your letter

It sounds like things haven’t been great for you at home and that you feel like your parents and brother are treating you badly.

You say you are doing well at school, well done on that. It can sometimes be difficult when you feel that the people around you aren’t encouraging or being supportive of you.

How would it feel to sit your parents down when your brother isn’t there, and let them know what is going on with your brother and how you are feeling?

Your brother shouldn’t be punching you and your parents need to know and make sure this stops. Perhaps you could discuss a plan with them on how to do this.

If you can’t sit down face to face with them you could try writing it down in a letter and giving it to one of them.

Remember you can speak to a counsellor at ChildLine about these options anytime either by coming into a 1-2-1online chat or by phone on 0800 1111

Take care

Sam