About Emily Expertise I can answer almost all teen issues such as self harm, suicide, eating disorders, depression and other mental health disorders, drugs, alcohol, assault, harrassment, family problems, trauma, friendship problems and a lot more, so just ask. Pretty much anything that teens have to face I can answer. I'm also Christian and non-judgmental so I can answer questions relating to religion. I will not judge people about anything.
Experience I've experienced a lot of stuff in my life including facing death in several ways, self-harm, suicide, alcohol, harrassment, family and friendship issues and more. I've had to deal with my dad being sick all my life with MS and cancer, and I've dealt with severe depression, anxiety and obsessive compulsive disorder. I tried to kill myself more than once and now I want to help other teens who are having trouble.
Education/Credentials In college studying psychology among other subjects. Plus life experience.
Question hi. let me start by saying that i like NEVER ask for advice over the internet, especially to people i don't know. so let me fill you in so i can know you and vice versa. my names blair, i'm 15, and i live in chicago, Il with my dad and stepmom. i go to a private christian school and in my spare time i'm either playing tennis, hanging with friends, or dealing with difficult friendish problems. my life has alot of drama without adding family to the situation. i have an nerdy older brother with his boring girlfriend, and a very cool and semi-embaressing dad, a great loving stepmom, and a completely insane 3 times divorced mother. she's a doctor which you'd think means she has a profesional bone in her body, but no. whenever we have a fight she always goes back to " try taking a leaf out of your brother's book" or "you are so much like your father" *insert insult here* she's always jealous of my stepmom, trying to change me, and sending me back to my dad's house when she finds me uncontrolable. i will admit i'm defianately independant minded and semi-rebellious. though NOT like teenage mom or i have more piercings than you rebellious. i know that my step mom and dad need there own time and thats usually when i go over to mom's house when they get that time.but i really dread seeing her is there any way to give them space and for me to escape without escaping to her house? and also is it necessary to have a relationship with my momm if i've got a great one with my step mom? thanx-blair
Answer Hi Blair. You don’t have to be really close to your mother and see her all the time, but it is certainly not a good idea to cut all ties with her. There is no reason why you can’t have the occasional friendly phone call with her, or even sometimes see her for lunch. When you get a bit older you’re likely to realise that, whether you like it or not, there is a bond there with her. Also, you’re quite likely to feel guilty if she passes away and you realise you hardly spent any time with her. I know that sounds ridiculous right now, but when you lose someone, even if you didn’t particularly get along with them, you get all sorts of mixed emotions, especially regret. You don’t have to see her all the time, just the occasional phone call to see how she’s doing and maybe have lunch with her every now and then.
How long do your step mother and father like their alone time to be? If it’s just for an evening or something, how about staying with a friend? Or is it like a week? Perhaps you could negotiate with your father and step mother and see if they can make any suggestions? Hopefully you’ll be able to figure something out. Good luck!
