The family is the environment in which children are born and spend important and defining years of their lives. It is where we walk, say our first words, learn to communicate and do different things, learn how to behave inside and outside the home, form our understanding of the world and learn different values. All our childhood memories are related to family. The adults who raise us are the ones we rely on the most and even for everything. They give us a sense of security and confidence by providing everything necessary for our existence, guiding us and helping us cope in everyday life.
When we talk about family, we usually imagine parents and their children. In fact, there are many types of families - single-parent families, families in which children are raised by grandparents or other relatives, in which one parent is not biological, and those in which there is no kinship between the children and the adult caregivers. them.
However, what connects people in a family is not its composition, but love and care for each other, their ability to accept each other as they are and forgive each other - everything.
If things are happening in your family that make you feel confused, sad or scared, contact the NATIONAL CHILD LINE by dialing 116 111. We will listen and support you - anonymously and free of charge. YOU ARE NOT ALONE
At some point in the life of every family, problems and difficulties arise. They can be of a very different nature - dad may lose his job, mom may have to go abroad for a long time, your brother may get seriously ill and any number of other unexpected events that take your family out of his usual rhythm of life. And you are bound together, even when the difficulty affects only one family member, it affects everyone else in one way or another. In other words, the problem is always common. You may have to skip a family vacation at sea or move to a smaller home. Circumstances may require you to help out more around the house or handle things on your own for which you have generally relied on help from family. It is likely that the atmosphere at home will also change and not be so cheerful and pleasant. You may notice that your parents are worried, upset, or arguing. It's normal to react negatively to change yourself - to feel confused, sad, angry and worried.
In order to overcome the family crisis more easily, it is important during this period for everyone in the family to talk openly about what is happening and about the feelings it provokes in you. If something is not clear to you, do not hesitate to ask questions. This will allow you to show better understanding towards each other, join forces in search of solutions and stay united. It's only a matter of time before things improve. In the end, everything may not be the same as it was and not exactly the way you want it to be, but in life you will still encounter difficulties and experience failures, things will happen to you that you cannot control or change. No matter how strange it sounds to you, each one of them brings you personal development, makes you more resilient and adaptable. You understand that the most important thing in these moments is to have someone by your side who will listen to your pain and support you.
We at the NATIONAL CHILD LINE
we are available 24/7 for you. You just need to call us at 116 111 - anonymously and for free! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
When you are a child, home is the place where you feel safe and your parents are the people you rely on for everything. Mom always listens and protects you, and Dad takes you swimming and helps you with your math homework. And even when they fight you, you know they love you. In the evening, you eat together, watch a movie, and after all the euphoria of preparing for a family vacation, you go for a carefree walk, laugh and eat ice cream. You feel like this will go on forever! Sometimes, however, it happens that your parents stop getting along and the house is not so warm and pleasant - you hear quarrels, mom is sad, and dad is nervous. Sometimes this is temporary and then the two become partners again, but in other cases, the parents fail to overcome the misunderstanding and difficulties between them and... separate.
Separation between parents is a difficult experience for everyone in the family and is associated with many changes, especially for children. Usually, parents stop living together and the children stay with one of them and, accordingly, begin to spend less time with the other. Often children are required to decide which of the two parents they want to live with, which makes the situation even more difficult for them. In addition to home, they may have to change school and even their friend environment. Sometimes the separation also separates the children in the family or other changes occur, such as living with a new partner of the parent and even with his children.
It is normal to feel scared, sad and desperate during this period. You may also feel guilty and think that if you had behaved better or had better grades, it wouldn't have come to this. However, the responsibility for what is happening is not yours! Your parents made this decision for a serious reason that is between the two of them alone. Although separate, they continue to love you and be your parents and your family. It is a matter of time to get used to the change and even find that without scandals at home it is more peaceful and that vacations with mom and dad separately are also pleasant. In order to accept your parents' separation more quickly and painlessly, it is important not to hide your feelings and to seek support - from your parents, relatives, friends, a teacher you trust, the school psychologist, social worker or other specialist.
You can always contact the NATIONAL CHILD LINE by dialing 116 111 and share your concerns. We will listen and support you! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Live happily ever after - mom, dad and you. All attention and love is for you! You want to play in the park and before you finish the sentence, you are already traveling there, you want to go to the cinema - you choose the movie, you eat macaroni and hop - the pot is already boiling on the stove! You have your own room, with a big poster of your favorite character above the bed and loads of stuff and toys that are all yours. Everything is familiar, certain and predictable. Until one day, your parents announce that soon there will be a baby in the family. What now?!?
It is possible that the news will evoke different feelings in you - joy, disappointment or a little bit of both. In any case, you are excited. It could be the long-awaited little brother or sister to play with, share secrets with, and conspire against mom and dad. However, we are often overwhelmed by a feeling of uncertainty and fear. And this is natural - now all the privileges you have will have to be divided in two! It's normal to wonder if the new family member will displace you from your parents' hearts, and this question will plague you even after his arrival, especially when much of their attention is focused on taking care of him. It will inevitably take time for you to get used to the change. Yes, there will be times when you feel neglected. Also be prepared for many battles for the favorite toy, the TV remote and the biggest piece of cake. You'll often hear "Back off, you're bigger!" and sometimes you will have to do things that you find "babyish". However, becoming a father or something is a privilege and even something of a promotion. Your parents will still love you, but they will treat you like an adult and you will be more trusted. The uninvited guest will imperceptibly become an integral part of your daily life and it will even be impossible for you to imagine life without it. Many adventures and pitfalls await you, in which you will be his accomplice, protector and sometimes - rival.
The relationship that will develop between you is one of the most lasting and valuable in life, but if you are still in doubt, you can call the NATIONAL CHILD LINE by dialing 116 111. We will listen to all your concerns and we support you - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult and dramatic events in a person's life. Although we know that death is an inevitable part of life, we are never prepared for it, especially when it comes to someone who is important to us. Initially, most people do not experience suffering and this is normal. It happens because of the shock of the news - it's hard for you to believe that the person you love who was around you until yesterday is no longer there - it seems unreal, something temporary, absurd... Gradually we begin to realize what happened and the feelings of grief and sadness conquer our heart. We often dream of going back in time, think about how we could have prevented it, blame ourselves and others, feel anger and hate fate. We reminisce and regret all the things we didn't share with the person who is already gone. Nothing pleases us and we have no desire for previously favorite activities. Often, the suffering from the loss affects us physically as well - our sleep is restless, we lose appetite and energy. It seems to us that we will never get over the pain of loss…
But this is not so! Your experiences right now are part of the healing process and the only way to adjust to life without your loved one. To make this journey easier, however, it is important not to try to suppress or avoid the pain. Support from family, friends and relatives is key to coping with grief. Share with them and let them be by your side, cry together and remember with a smile the good times spent with the person you lost. Remember that there are other people who need you and take care of yourself. Give yourself time and you will soon realize that the end of a loved one's life does not mean the end of your relationship with him. Think of some of his work that you could continue or fulfill your personal ambition by dedicating your success to him. Write him a letter or a poem, collect your favorite photos with him in an album or keep one of his things as a keepsake. There are so many ways to express and relieve your pain…
You can count on support from or contact the NATIONAL CHILD LINE on 116 111. We will listen to you and together we will find a solution - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Every child dreams of a home where they are raised by mom and dad. In it, everyone is happy and sociable, helping and loving each other. Alas, life doesn't always work that way. Many parents, for one reason or another, are unable to care for their children, and children are not always happy and safe in their parents' home. Then, they live with their relatives, in a foster family, and sometimes in centers where, together with other children in a similar situation, they are raised by adults who are not their relatives, but treat them with the same care. At first glance, it looks scary and not at all like home, but in reality it is not like that at all. Home is where you are cared for, where you feel calm, safe and protected, where when you need help you will get a hug and advice. Children raised in an environment different from that of the biological family are like everyone else and do the same things - they study, play, do sports, dream. And like any human being, they need love - to give and to receive. If you feel loved and important to the people who care about you, then you are home. Because home is where the heart is!
If you are about to live outside your biological family or you do not feel well in your new home, you can share this with a social worker or contact the NATIONAL CHILD LINE on 116 111. We will listen to you and together we will find a solution - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!