Short messages on Family issues and relationships from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
Be aware that comments and pictures posted online will be read in years to come by people including new friends, family and employers. If in doubt, ask yourself if the public should be seeing it.
Mother’s Day should be a day for celebration and appreciating our mothers for what they do for us, but for some people it is a day of sadness and wishing. If you know someone who may be in this position then think about how they may feel. Some of them can’t even go and visit their loved ones because they’re too far away or don’t know where they are. Not everyone has their Mum around on Mother’s Day.
Claim Child Benefit as soon as your child is born or comes to live with you. It can only be backdated for 3 months – so make your claim as soon as possible.
You get Child Benefit if you’re responsible for a child under 16 (or under 20 if they stay in approved education or training) – £20.30 for the eldest and £13.40 for additional, per week.
Forgiveness sets you free from resentment’s confines; it breaks down the walls that anger builds and negativity reinforces. When we forgive, we stop letting ours pasts dictate our presents. We acknowledge we want the very best for ourselves; accepting that our past makes us the person we are today, and embracing that.
It takes huge strength and courage to express and communicate our pain to the people who hurt us. In doing so, we expose our vulnerable side – the very part that we want to protect and keep safe. But when we communicate painful emotions, we take a step outside of our comfort zone and into a wonderful learning and growth opportunity.
If someone close to you has died and you are aged 17 years or younger then you can contact Nelson’s Journey for help and support: Nelson’s Journey – supporting bereaved children in Norfolk (01603 431788).
Isla’s older brother died in an accident. She was scared she would forget him. She created a memory box to remind herself of all the good times they shared.
Kris (19) found life tough after his Dad died. He felt he had to look after his younger brothers to help his Mum while his friends were out partying. Kris felt lonely.
Jake’s Gran died after a long illness. He used to spend lots of time with her. He was worried other family members would die. It is common to feel like this.