Chosen family: What to do when you have no biological family to rely on or you need parenting support as an adult Psych for Life with Dr. Amanda Ferguson

Ideally, we grow up in a loving family and grow into adulthood feeling united and supported but this is often not the case. Dr Amanda Ferguson discusses how we can find spiritual or surrogate family members when our biological family is dysfunctional, lets us down or doesn't exist in our lives. Acknowledging our lack of good family relationships is painful and lonely. The possibility of a second chance - and even more chances - to create a sense of family is liberating and fulfilling. For instance, feeling motherless can be healed by finding as many mother figures as it takes for us to eventually feel we have been mothered. Surrogate family relationships usually evolve naturally and can't be forced. They give each person a sense of gaining what they were missing. Dr. Amanda shows how the world holds all these potential people we need to feel loved and to love. It's never too late to have a happy family.

Lifeline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on 13 11 14

To find out more about Dr. Amanda Ferguson, you can visit her website at www.dramandaferguson.com.au
Or connect with her on Facebook or LinkedIn