Pat's Answer
To Pat / 28 Feb 2020
Topic: Parents
Your Question
my dad never talks to me and i hear my parents insult me behind my back every so often. they also take away my school lunch money if i fail to obey them. it doesn’t feel fair. is this normal?
From Pat / 09 Mar 2020
Answer
Welcome to Ask Pat,
It sounds like you would like to clarify if the way your parents treat you is normal. We would understand that you are questioning this and it sounds like this treatment hurts you and that is not okay. Your parents have the responsibility to provide support for you and to keep you safe until you are 18 years of age. On our website, we have some useful tips for getting along with your family that you may find helpful. You can find them in the ‘Info and Advice’ section under ‘Home & Families’.
Nobody has the right to hurt you emotionally no matter what you do. Verbal abuse is never okay and it is never your fault. You have the right to get help from an adult that you trust to listen and support you. For some this trusted person might be a family member, teacher or sports leader. If you don’t feel like there is a trusted adult in your life that you can talk to, there is always the option of contacting Childline, who are there to listen.
You can contact Childline on 1800 66 66 66 to talk about what is going on for you. Or you can contact our text service at 50101 or our webchat service, through this website. Childline are here to listen and support and to help you to explore the options that are available to you in your life, to help you in a way that suits you best.
Take Care,
Pat