Louise and Zoe's story

Mum Louise* was really worried about her 13-year-old daughter Zoe.

Zoe had not been herself, she was feeling angry and upset. She had been skipping school and was often disrupting class when she was there. She felt she was unable to communicate with her mum and dad and had withdrawn into herself.

Zoe’s mum and dad, Louise and Fraser, were frustrated and didn’t understand why she couldn’t talk to them or why she was behaving in this way.

Louise rang the support line at her wits end after a tough day. Zoe had walked out of school, and no-one knew where she had gone. Louise rang the police who found her and brought her home.

Sarah in our support line team provided a calm, safe space for Louise to share her worries about her family.

They discussed how to improve communication with Zoe and the importance of listening to each other. They explored different ways to chat in a less pressured way. They also discussed getting further support for Zoe with her emotional wellbeing.

A week later, Sarah rang Louise to see how things were going for them.

She said Zoe was feeling much calmer and that they were all connecting more as a family, that as parents she and Fraser were listening to Zoe’s concerns and validating how she felt.

Together they were all having more positive conversations and had even agreed consequences for behaviour such as skipping school together.

Mum Louise said: “Speaking to Sarah has given me more confidence as a mum, reminded me I am doing my best and helped me concentrate on the positive aspects of my relationship with my daughter.”

If you’re worried about your child Children First’s support line is here for you. Call our friendly team on 08000 28 22 33 or start a webchat at www.childrenfirst.org.uk/supportline

*Names have been changed to protect the anonymity of the family.