Family

The family is the environment in which children are born and spend important and defining years of their lives. It is where we grow up, say our first words, learn to communicate and do different things, learn how to behave in and outside the home, form our understanding of the world and learn different values. All our childhood memories are connected 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 reassurance by providing everything we need to exist, guiding us and helping us to cope in everyday life.

When we talk about family, we usually think of 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, families in which one parent is not biological, and families in which there is no kinship between the children and the adults who care for them.

However, what binds people in a family is not its composition, but their love and care for each other, their ability to accept each other as they are and to forgive each other - everything.

If things are happening in your family that make you feel confused, sad or scared, contact the NATIONAL CHILDREN'S PHONE LINE by dialling 116 111. We'll listen and support you - anonymously and for free. YOU ARE NOT ALONE

At some point, problems and difficulties arise in the life of every family. They can be of different nature - your dad may lose his job, your mom may have to go abroad for a long time, your little brother may fall seriously ill, and all kinds of other unexpected events that can take your family out of its usual rhythm of life. And you are bound together, even when the difficulty concerns 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 the family seaside holiday or move to a smaller home. Circumstances may require you to help out more around the house, or to do things on your own that you've generally relied on family help for. The atmosphere at home is also likely to change and be less cheerful and pleasant. You may notice that your parents are resentful, nervous or quarrelling. It is normal to react negatively to the change yourself - to feel confusion, sadness, anger and worry.

In order to overcome the family crisis more easily, it is important during this period that everyone in the family talks openly about what is happening and the feelings it provokes in you. If something is not clear, do not hesitate to ask questions. This will allow you to show a better understanding of each other, join forces in finding 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 suffer setbacks, things will happen to you that you cannot control or change. Strange as it may sound, each of these brings you personal development, makes you more resilient and adaptable. You realise that the most important thing in these moments is to have someone by your side to listen to your pain and support you.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

We at the NATIONAL TELEPHONE LINE FOR CHILDREN are available for you around the clock. All you have to do is dial 116 111 - anonymously and free of charge!

When you're a child, home is where you feel safe and your parents are the people you rely on for everything. Mum always listens and protects you, and Dad takes you swimming and helps you with your maths homework. And even when they scold you, you know they love you. In the evenings you eat together, watch a movie, and after all the euphoria about preparing for a family vacation - you take carefree walks, laugh and eat ice cream. You get the feeling that this will last forever! But sometimes it happens that your parents stop getting along and home isn't so warm and nice - you hear fights, Mom is sad and Dad is nervous. Sometimes it's temporary and then the two of them become friendly again, but other times the parents can't get over their misunderstandings and difficulties and... separate.

Separation between parents is a difficult experience for everyone in the family and involves many changes, especially for the children. Usually, the parents stop living together as the children stay with one of them and - accordingly - start spending less time with the other. Often the children are asked to decide which parent they want to live with, which makes the situation even more difficult for them. In addition to the home, they may have to change schools and even friends. Sometimes with separation, the children in the family are also separated or other changes occur, such as living with a parent's new partner and even their 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 got better grades it wouldn't have come to this. However, the responsibility for what is happening is not yours! Your parents have made this decision for a serious reason that is between the two of them. Even though separately, they continue to love you and be your parents and your family. It's only a matter of time before you get used to the change and even find that it's calmer without scandals at home and that holidays with mum and dad separately are enjoyable too. To accept your parents' separation more quickly and painlessly, it is important not to hide your feelings and to seek support - from your parents, family, friends, a trusted teacher, school psychologist, social worker or other professional.
You can also always contact the NATIONAL TELEPHONE LINE FOR CHILDREN by dialling 116 111 and sharing your concerns. We will listen and support you! YOU ARE NOT ALONE!

You live happily ever after - mom, dad and you. All the attention and love is for you! You want to play in the park and before you finish the sentence, you're on your way there, you want to go to the cinema - you choose the film, you want to eat macaroni and hop - the pot is already boiling on the stove! You've got a private room, with a big poster of your favourite character above the bed and a pile of stuff and toys that are all yours. Everything is familiar, safe and predictable. Until one day, your parents announce that there will soon be a baby in the family. What about now?

The news may trigger different feelings in you - of joy, disappointment or a little of both. In any case, you are excited. It could be the long-awaited little brother or sister you've been playing with, sharing secrets and plotting against Mom and Dad. Not infrequently, however, a sense of uncertainty and fear overwhelms us. And that's natural - so now all the privileges you have will have to be shared! 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 caring for him. It will inevitably take time to get used to the change. Yes, there will be times when you feel neglected. Be prepared for lots of fighting over your favourite toy, the TV remote and the biggest piece of cake. You will often hear "Back off, you're bigger!" and sometimes you will have to do things you find "babyish". However, becoming a daddy or a poop is a privilege and even something of a promotion. Your parents will still love you, but they will now treat you like a big and trust you more. The uninvited guest will imperceptibly become an integral part of your everyday life and you will even find it impossible to imagine life without him. You will have many adventures and adventures in which you will be his accomplice, protector and sometimes rival.

The bond that will form between you is one of the most lasting and precious in life, but if you still doubt this, you can call the NATIONAL CHILDREN'S PHONE LINE by dialling 116 111. We will listen to all your concerns and support you - you are NOT alone

Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult and dramatic events in a person's life. While we know that death is an inevitable part of life, we are never prepared for it, especially when it comes to someone who is significant 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 to believe that the person you love and was around yesterday is gone - it seems unreal, something temporary, absurd... Gradually we begin to realize what has happened and feelings of grief and sadness take over our heart. Often we dream of turning back time, think 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 now gone. Nothing pleases us and we have no desire for activities we loved until recently. Often the suffering of our loss affects us physically - our sleep is restless, we lose appetite and energy. It seems that we will never get over the pain of loss...

However, this is not the case! 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 path easier, however, it is important not to try to suppress or avoid the pain. Support from family, friends and relatives is key to overcoming grief. Share with them and allow them to be by your side, cry together and recall with a smile the good times spent with the person you have lost. Remember 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 them. Think of some work of his that you could continue or fulfill a personal ambition by dedicating your success to him. Write him a letter or a poem, collect your favorite photographs of him in an album, or keep an item of his as a keepsake. There are so many ways to express and ease your pain...

You can also rely on support from or contact the NATIONAL CHILDREN'S PHONE 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 friendly, helping and loving each other. Alas, life is not always like that. 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 relatives, in foster care, and sometimes in centres where, together with other children in a similar situation, they are looked after by adults who are not related to them, but treat them with the same care. At first glance, it looks scary and not at all like home, but in reality it is far from that. Home is where you are cared for, where you feel calm, safe and secure, where when you need help you will get a hug and advice. Children raised in a different environment from their biological family are just like everyone else and do the same things - they learn, they play, they play sports, they dream. And like every human being, they need love - to give and to receive. If you feel loved and significant to the people who care for you, then you are home. Because home is where the heart is!

If you are going to live outside your biological family or do not feel comfortable in your new home, you can share this with a social worker or contact the NATIONAL CHILDREN'S PHONE LINE on 116 111. We will listen to you and together we will find a solution - YOU ARE NOT ALONE!