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Topic
 What is a young carer?

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  • BecomingMyDemons

    02 August 2012 at 23:44

    What is a young carer?

     

    I'm confused. I don't know what the actual definition of "young carer" is, and I don't know if I am one or not.
    I'm 16 and I live with my parents and sister. My mum has drinking problems, and she's depressed. She's been suicidal before and she's getting like that again.
    I help out as much as I can around the house. My dad works a lot so he's hardly ever home. I do things like ironing, cooking, hoovering, dishes and just general tidying up.
    My mum has stopped doing anything at all now, she never leaves the house and a lot of the time she just sleeps, so I look after her and my younger sister. My mum hasn't worked since I was born, the doctor says she cant because of her mental health. I make my sister dinner and tidy up after her and help her with homework when she needs it. And I spend a lot of time listening to my mum when she's wanting to talk about how she's feeling.
    I've never really thought much of this before, it's always just been expected of me. But I'm starting to not have a lot of time for myself now. Am I a young carer??
  • TearingAtTheEdges

    03 August 2012 at 20:25

     

    Hi. A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who cares for or are affected by someone at home usually a parent or sibling. The person you care for could have mental health problems, a disability, often generally has ill health or drug or alcohol misuses.

    Yes, I believe you are a young carer as you care for your mum and also in result of this your younger sister too. I think it's really good of you to take care of your mum and sister but also remember to look after yourself too. 

    If you have more questions or need more advice or support then just ask-I'm always around here and I always here to help. Take care, keep going and remember-look after yourself too.

    Artdiva x
  • BecomingMyDemons

    06 August 2012 at 15:16

     
    Artdiva - 03 August 2012 at 20:25

     

    Hi. A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who cares for or are affected by someone at home usually a parent or sibling. The person you care for could have mental health problems, a disability, often generally has ill health or drug or alcohol misuses.

    Yes, I believe you are a young carer as you care for your mum and also in result of this your younger sister too. I think it's really good of you to take care of your mum and sister but also remember to look after yourself too. 

    If you have more questions or need more advice or support then just ask-I'm always around here and I always here to help. Take care, keep going and remember-look after yourself too.

    Artdiva x

     

    Thanks :) xXx
  • LavaLamp7

    08 August 2012 at 08:50

     
    Indigo-WaterWorks - 02 August 2012 at 23:44

     

    I'm confused. I don't know what the actual definition of "young carer" is, and I don't know if I am one or not.
    I'm 16 and I live with my parents and sister. My mum has drinking problems, and she's depressed. She's been suicidal before and she's getting like that again.
    I help out as much as I can around the house. My dad works a lot so he's hardly ever home. I do things like ironing, cooking, hoovering, dishes and just general tidying up.
    My mum has stopped doing anything at all now, she never leaves the house and a lot of the time she just sleeps, so I look after her and my younger sister. My mum hasn't worked since I was born, the doctor says she cant because of her mental health. I make my sister dinner and tidy up after her and help her with homework when she needs it. And I spend a lot of time listening to my mum when she's wanting to talk about how she's feeling.
    I've never really thought much of this before, it's always just been expected of me. But I'm starting to not have a lot of time for myself now. Am I a young carer??

     

    I think you are really brave and amazing to  those things for other people when your only sixteen. 
  • worried-sister1205

    11 August 2012 at 16:58

     
    Indigo-WaterWorks - 02 August 2012 at 23:44

     

    I'm confused. I don't know what the actual definition of "young carer" is, and I don't know if I am one or not.
    I'm 16 and I live with my parents and sister. My mum has drinking problems, and she's depressed. She's been suicidal before and she's getting like that again.
    I help out as much as I can around the house. My dad works a lot so he's hardly ever home. I do things like ironing, cooking, hoovering, dishes and just general tidying up.
    My mum has stopped doing anything at all now, she never leaves the house and a lot of the time she just sleeps, so I look after her and my younger sister. My mum hasn't worked since I was born, the doctor says she cant because of her mental health. I make my sister dinner and tidy up after her and help her with homework when she needs it. And I spend a lot of time listening to my mum when she's wanting to talk about how she's feeling.
    I've never really thought much of this before, it's always just been expected of me. But I'm starting to not have a lot of time for myself now. Am I a young carer??

     

    Hi, yes you are a young carer. A young carer is anyone under 18 who has to take on the role of an adult, in your case, doing the house work, helping your sister and listening to your mum, makes you a young carer.
  • Tia - cant - live - without - one - direction.

    16 November 2012 at 15:59

     
    BecomingMyDemons - 02 August 2012 at 23:44

     

    I'm confused. I don't know what the actual definition of "young carer" is, and I don't know if I am one or not.
    I'm 16 and I live with my parents and sister. My mum has drinking problems, and she's depressed. She's been suicidal before and she's getting like that again.
    I help out as much as I can around the house. My dad works a lot so he's hardly ever home. I do things like ironing, cooking, hoovering, dishes and just general tidying up.
    My mum has stopped doing anything at all now, she never leaves the house and a lot of the time she just sleeps, so I look after her and my younger sister. My mum hasn't worked since I was born, the doctor says she cant because of her mental health. I make my sister dinner and tidy up after her and help her with homework when she needs it. And I spend a lot of time listening to my mum when she's wanting to talk about how she's feeling.
    I've never really thought much of this before, it's always just been expected of me. But I'm starting to not have a lot of time for myself now. Am I a young carer??

     

    You are defanatly a young carer.The defenition of a young carer is that you are young and a carer.

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