I should have told someone
My biggest regret is that I did not tell my school friends or adults I trusted what my life was really like. I kept difficult parts of my life hidden, whilst I tried to have normal experiences in other parts of my life. However this did not address the key problems, and therefore nothing got better. If I could go back in time I would tell someone what was happening. I’m sure that good people would have helped both Mum and I.
Whilst I did not recognise it at the time, I think a lot of my approach to being a young carer was based on what I had seen my dad do. I had seen him make numerous sacrifices in order to provide care. I had watched him struggle alone but never demand support from others. I should have asked for help, even if Dad never did.