What is a perfect family? Sister, puhleeze! In real life, there is no such thing. Families are made up of humans, and humans aren't perfect. Neither is the world we live in. No matter how much you look up to your parents or anyone else, they will all make mistakes at times. And no matter how much you protect the people you love, the world can get in the way. The bummer of it all is that family issues affect your life in big ways. That's when your life can get tricky. What do you do when your parents get divorced? How are you supposed to feel when your dad goes to jail, when your mom is addicted to drugs, when your parents don't have enough money to pay the bills? No one teaches kids what to do when family life gets hard.

Know This:
You're not alone:
Every kid in the United States will struggle with something at home at some point. Millions of kids' folks get divorced every year, and millions more are dealing with addiction, abuse, money troubles and other emotional stuff this very instant. You may feel like the loneliest person on Earth, but know that someone somewhere is feeling the same way.

Talking Makes it Easier:
Find someone you can talk to about the hard stuff you are going through. Embarrassed to talk to your friends? Think they won't understand? How about your coach? A teacher you like? Or how about talking directly to your parents? Let them know how their decisions are affecting your life. Whatever you do, get it off your chest.

You Choose Your Path:
Life's struggles tend to do two things: make you or break you. When stuff goes sour at home, some kids react by messing up, getting into alcohol or drugs, skipping school, dropping out of sports, closing themselves off to the world. They let whatever their families are going through define them and destroy them. It doesn't have to be that way. Plenty of other kids use the tough stuff in life as a way to become stronger. Have to move to a new town? Use it as a chance to make new friends. Is someone you know sad all the time? Use it as a way to learn how to reach out for help. Hate seeing your uncle drunk all the time? Learn that that is not the way you want to live.

Don't miss Elissa Steamer's video interview on family issues! Link below.

Families can be our biggest support and our biggest struggle. We can't choose our families, but we can choose what we learn from them. Teach yourself to sponge all the love and good qualities from your family. When your folks mess up, learn from their mistakes. If your family loses a loved one, stick together and lean on each other's love. Keep talking and sharing. Be tough, but not too tough. And know in the end that only you have the power to decide how life�s bumps will affect your life.

Quick points:

Be a role model for your family:

Get help when you need it

Remember: A great athlete doesn't win every game. She learns from every game, whether she wins or loses. When life is tough, athletes focus on the positive and gain strength from working through heavy hearts and difficult circumstances. Choose to come out on top.

Holding On to Home: Resources
www.childrenanddivorce.com
www.bonusfamilies.com
www.kidsinthemiddle.org/kidspage.htm

Go to the gym where you can find a sport that's right for you, talk to other girls and much more!

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Skateboarder Elissa Steamer Holds on at Home

Watch Elissa Steamer talk about family issues!