Family relationships | Childline

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Family problems

Get support if you're having problems with your family.

Divorce and separation

Get advice about dealing with divorce or separation.

Running away

Get advice if you're thinking about or have run away

Stepfamilies and second families

Get support with stepfamilies and second families.

Living in care

If you live away from your parents, we can support you.

Social services

Social services are there to keep young people safe from abuse and neglect.

Young carers

Find advice and support if you look after someone.

Homelessness

Get advice if you're homeless or living on the streets.

Abuse and safety

It's not always easy to know what abuse is or what to do about it. But we're here for you.

Moving out

Get advice about moving out and your rights.

Parents and alcohol

Get advice if your parents or carers drink too much alcohol.

Parents and drugs

Living with parents who misuse drugs can be tough, but we're here to help.

Young parents

A lot can change when you become a new parent, even if you’ve got help. We’re here to support you.

Being adopted

If you're adopted, you may have a lot of questions and we can help.

Supporting a family member with a mental health issue

Living with someone who has mental health problems can be hard - but we're here to help.

When someone dies

You don't have to cope on your own, find out how we can help.

Forced marriage

Forced marriages can happen in secret and can also be planned by parents, family or religious leaders. It may involve physical abuse, sexual abuse or emotional abuse.

Female circumcision, FGM, and cutting

FGM is when a girl's genitals are cut away. Learn your rights and where to get help.

Parents in prison

If a parent is in prison, we've got some advice to help.

Being assertive

Being assertive can help you to explain how you feel and what you need, without being rude.

Your letters about family relationships

My mom smacked my butt | Ask Sam

hey i thought I would submit my letter because i have no one else to ask, when i was f14 my mom asked me to step on a...

Mum is cheating but can’t be sure of it | Ask Sam

Hi Sam, for the past two or so months my mother has been behaving really suspicious like going out and staying at “fr...

My message is about my birth dad | Ask Sam

i don’t like my dad . i was put into care 7yrs ago and my mum has got me back. now my birth dad wants to see me after...

I don't know if my mum is dead or alive | Ask Sam

I struggle with a weird type of grief. My mum disappeared one and a half years ago and nobody has found her since. I ...

Get more support

Ask Sam

Write a message to Sam about anything, or look at what other people have asked.

Get support

We're here for you on the phone or online. You can also speak to a Childline counsellor 1-2-1 or email us.

Toolbox

Take your mind off things with games, use our tools to find ways to cope or get creative and let your feelings out. It’s all in your handy toolbox.