Things you can do to help you cope:
- speak to a friend, family member or someone you trust
- write your feelings down
- contact Childline and speak to a counsellor.
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Father’s Day
Father’s Day can be hard if your dad isn’t around for any reason or if you don’t get along. But remember, we’re always here to support you.
Finding it hard to cope
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, or he’s not around for some reason. It can make Father’s Day a difficult time of year for some people.
Not seeing your dad
If you don’t see your dad any more, then seeing the cards and gifts for Father’s Day can be upsetting. Lots of people don’t see their dads and it’s important to know that you're not alone.
It can help to talk to someone about how you feel. This could be your mum, aunty or uncle or a close friend. You can also have a 1-2-1 counsellor chat.
Why not visit the home and family message board and get support from other young people? You might find someone who feels the same way.
Coping with a bereavement
It's natural to struggle or need support when someone close to you has died. Father’s day and other holidays can often be a reminder of what you’ve lost.
It can be good to think about how you want to spend Father’s Day. There’s no right or wrong. Some people find it helpful to use the day as a way of remembering their dad. You could visit a place that reminds you of him. If he has a grave or memorial, you could visit that as well.
Spending some time thinking about your dad or talking to other people who knew him too can help. You could take time to look at photos, share memories or just talk about what made him special.
Difficult relationship with your dad
It’s normal not to get on with people all the time, especially your parents. If you're angry with your dad, you're arguing with him, you feel like he’s always getting at you or you just don’t get on with him, you might not really feel like celebrating Father’s Day.
You could try talking to your dad about how you feel and explain to him why he’s upsetting you. Talking to your parents is a really important step in maintaining a good relationship and making a difficult one better.
You can talk to us about anything
When you feel angy or upset about something, it can feel really hard to ask for help. It’s normal to worry that how you feel is ‘stupid’ or ‘not important’, or that other people will laugh or not understand.
Even though it can be hard to share some things, it’s important to know that there are people who can support you and take you seriously.
We'll never judge you and we'll always listen. Get support from one of our trained counsellors.
Other sites we recommend:
- Winston's Wish offer support to bereaved children and their families
- Grief Encounter can support you and your family after a bereavement
- Young Minds help children and young people with anxiety
