00:04Hi, today I would like to talk to you about my teenage stepson.
00:08He became involved in the extreme right wing not long after I started dating his mother.
00:14For a while, I blamed myself, wondering if I was in some way responsible for his involvement
00:19because of my new relationship with his mom.
00:22I hated seeing the way he treated her, it was horrendous seeing what she had to go through.
00:27He would say some appalling things to her, and they would have awful arguments.
00:32Of course I wanted to say something, but I didn't feel like it was my place.
00:37Even though I got along well with him, I know I wasn't his dad, and I didn't want to overstep
00:42the
00:42mark. Walking away wasn't an option, although it did go through my mind, as it was really tough at
00:47times. I loved them both, and deep down, I knew he was a good kid. I wanted to help and
00:54protect them,
00:54but instead, if I am honest, I felt useless and unable to help.
00:59Thankfully, things changed when my partner contacted Exit Hate Family Support.
01:04Initially she spoke to them alone, but then they asked if I would like to chat.
01:09Unsure at first, I agreed, and from there, everything changed.
01:13They offered us guidance, education, and advice.
01:16All from a lived experience perspective.
01:18They had been through this themselves, so there was no judgment, just support.
01:23We never felt judged, they listed, and empowered us to develop positive change at home.
01:29With their support, we learned how to communicate, as a couple, about our situation, and issues
01:34involving her son.
01:36Whereas before, we were both too scared, and ashamed, to bring things up, because of Exit's
01:41advice, we listened, and talked as equals, and I loved that.
01:44Being empowered, to have challenging conversations with her son, we were taught how to de-escalate
01:50arguments, and prevent situations from getting out of hand.
01:54But most importantly, we learned how to work together, and support each other.
01:58And from this, our relationship, and family dynamic, became stronger.
02:03If you are a dad, stepdad or partner, and you need advice, help, or just fancy a chat, then
02:09please, get in touch with Exit Hate Family Support.
02:12You are not alone.
02:13You are not alone.
02:14You are not alone.
02:16You are not alone.
02:18You are not alone.
02:18You are alone.
02:18You are alone.
