Sharing Experiences > Forums

Links to external online forums are provided by parentingGRANDCHILDREN.info because we recognise the benefits free and open discussion brings to Grandcarers and to grandchildren in care.

Grandcarer forums
Kids places
Photo of Granparent and child

Important! These discussion sites are not provided as a substitute for individual consultation with an appropriate professional, nor are they meant to be a complete alternative to you talking to your peers, friends or family members.

Grandcarer forums

Important! Do not post any information that identifies you or your grandchildren. Make-up an alias username and use a hotmail email address (or similar) that does not identify your real name.

The grandparents and kinship carers forum provided by the Raising Children Network provides its users with the opportunity to exchange information and advice with others who understand what it is like to parent your grandchildren.

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The Grandparents Bulletin Board is hosted by the Time for Grandparents and Grandparents Information website (an initiative of the Queensland Government) and is a dedicated space for Grandcarers to 'talk' with others who are living in similar family situations.

Kids places

Children and young people who live with their grandparents are often too embarrassed or ashamed to tell anyone why they are unable to live with their birth parents. The forums linked from this page seek to help connect you to other young Australians who also do not live with their birth parents.

Important! Do not post any information that identifies you. Make-up an alias username and use a hotmail email address (or similar) that does not identify your real name.

These sites have been split into different age groups:

4every1
six2twelve
12two25
16teen+

All the sites allow you to read, hear and exchange stories with others who share common experiences. They also seek to connect you to more general information to help you deal with friends, family and school, as well as the scary issues that face you in everyday life.

Important! If you are feeling really down, are having thoughts of suicide, or of harming yourself you should not enter a chatroom, or discussion group. You need to talk about these feelings, but it needs to be with someone who is trained to help. This is because talking about suicidal thoughts and feelings, or about self-harming can be very upsetting to others who are not trained to deal with these issues.

For more information on suicide risk and where to go for help, visit Lifeline's Read the Signs website. Or,

Call a friend or family member to talk about your feelings
Call Kids Help Line - 1800 551 800
Call Crisis Care – 9223 1111 (Outside Perth Metro Area FREECALL 1800 199 008)
Call Lifeline - 13 11 14
Call the Mental Health Emergency Response Line - 9224 8888 or 1300 555 788 (all hours) (Outside Perth Metro Area FREECALL 1800 676 822)
Call or go and see your doctor or mental health professional
Go to the emergency department at your local hospital

4every1

Create Foundation logo

The Create Foundation website has been specially setup for children and young people who have been removed from their parents. To connect with other kids, find games, read music, book and movie reviews, ask questions, or to network create your own online diary, click on Young People Zone.

Kids Helpline Logo

Kids Help Line Web Counselling has been designed to provide kids with one-on-one real time contact with a counsellor. You can also connect to a Kids Help Line counsellor by telephone and email. For more information, click on Get Help then Get Counselling

six2twelve

Headroom Logo

The Children webpage is designed to help kids aged 6 to 12 years keep healthy and happy. It looks at how our physical health and our mental health effect the way we handle our everyday lives, like making and keeping friends, keeping up with school work and getting along with our family.

12two25

Headspace Logo

headspace is Australia's National Youth Mental Health Foundation. Its mission is to deliver youth friendly, community based health services for young people aged 12 – 25 years, and their families. headspace is also online on Facebook and Myspace.

6teen+

Reachout Logo

Reach Out! is a confidential and anonymous Australian website that provides young people with a place to explore how they can help themselves through a tough time. Reach Out! features:

interactive games designed to help young people develop confidence and problem solving, coping and communication skills;
personal stories from other young people who have been able to get through tough times;
a place to get support and understanding from peers facing similar issues;

provide information on a range of mental health issues; and

provide guidance on where to find help in the community.

You could also have a look at Students Against Depression