Family life

Family life can be a place of refuge and security but for some it is a source of pain and disappointment. Our families absorb many of the stresses and strains from the outside world – and the pressures can boil over. Sometimes a personal problem, particularly in a young person, can overwhelm a family and there seems to be no clear way forward. Parents should be able to guide their spouse, talk and advise them. When a crisis or disappointment happens for one member the family absorbs the impact, sometimes helping and sometimes hindering.

All families are different, and the ups and downs of family life have a huge effect on children and young people. The love and support children feel from parents and relatives will give them the strength to grow and develop. But all families go through difficult times and some children and young people can find it hard to get on with parents or siblings. The children will start having a hard time, thinking they are the reason why their family fell apart, some would start having negative thoughts about their birth leading the children to feel depressed. This can be for a variety of reasons including:

Different personalities clashing and disagreements over ways of doing things
Jealousy or fighting between brothers and sisters
Parents arguing
Divorce or separation
New step-parents or step-brothers and sisters
A parent or relative having mental health problems, disabilities or illness
A parent or relative having alcohol or drug problems
Stresses due to unemployment, money or housing problems.
Domestic violence.

Children and young people often think family problems are their fault, even if nobody has told them this. Changes in the family can unsettle and upset and make children feel insecure and bad about themselves. They may feel angry, anxious or depressed. These feelings can affect other areas of their lives such as school and friendships. Don’t allow the issues in your family affect your children’s. Show them love, care for them and give them your attention.