GAY
I'm gay. How can I tell my parents? I think they might chuck me out of the house. (aged
16)
Many teenagers go through phases where they may “experiment” sexually and
go out with or even have sex with members of the same sex. This does not, necessarily, mean
they are gay. If you are absolutely sure that you are gay and are convinced, how you
tell your parents depends on how you think they will react. If you have a good
relationship with your parents, I would tell them how you feel and they will be very unlikely
to chuck you out. If you really feel that they will chuck you out, I suggest leaving it
until you have left home or are 18 years old and then tell them. Your parents may not like the
idea of your being gay, but if they love you - and most parents love their kids, which is why
they worry so much about them - they will be supportive and understanding.
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DIVORCE
I think my parents might get divorced 'cos they get angry all
the time and are always
arguing and don't spend any time together. It's not fair - I don't want my parents to split up.
What can I do to help them fall in love again?(aged 15)
Lots of parents go through phases where they argue and get angry with each other but that
doesn't mean, necessarily, that they are considering divorce. Sadly, there is nothing you can
do to help them sort themselves out, but it doesn't mean that they no longer love each other.
If they do decide to get divorced it is not because they don't love you but because
they no longer love each other. One way of helping them is by trying to behave and
“be good” so that they don't have the extra burden of worrying about you.
Good luck.
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SELF-HARMING
I think my younger brother self-harms, but every time I
raise the subject he just ignores
me or denies it. I can't talk to our parents. They wouldn't understnad, and my brother might
kill me. He would never talk to his teachers or friends, but I don't know how to help him.
What if it gets worse?(aged 16)
If you think your brother is self-harming he needs help, and your parents have to be told. If
you really can't tell your parents you can try CHILDLINE at www.childline.org.uk
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MONEY
My parents are really poor and don't give me any pocket money.
We're in loads of debt
but I can't help feeling angry that all my friends can afford new clothes whenever they like
and I can't. They are starting to make fun of me because of it. (aged 15)
If your friends are making fun of you because you can't afford the things that they have, they
can't really be good friends. My advice is to ignore them when they make fun of you and
explain to them that they are very lucky to have richer parents than you, and that you are not
able to buy the things that they can. The other thing you could do is to get a paper round or
earn some money for yourself by washing cars for people or something like that so that you
can have some money of your own.
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