I’m sorry if I go on a bit, but I need to get this off my chest. I’m feeling absolutely terrible. My relationship with my dad has never been very successful. I appreciate everything he and my mum do for me, but we just don’t see eye to eye. We have never been very close, and that hurts me an awful lot. Even as a child I remember finding it hard to warm to him. I am 17 years old, and want nothing more than to be able to get along with my dad. But it’s just been a nightmare. He’s very strict, and that’s fine, I understand that parents have to be. But sometimes, he will take it too far, and he will hurt me, physically. Nothing drastic. But enough to leave a mental scar. Whenever I think about how much I dislike him, I remember all of the things he’s done for me, and I feel instantly guilty. And the truth is, I don’t dislike him. He’s my dad, I love him. But he frustrates me. I’ve finally found the courage to write this, because we’ve just had another terrible argument, and unfortunately, I’ve just fallen out with my mum, too. It’s very rare that we all fall out, so when it does happen, it’s a nightmare. Anyway, I’m sorry to rant on. I know I sound like a typical ungrateful teenager, but I really do appreciate my parents. I just want to be closer to my dad. He’s only got us and his brother, as his parents and best friend are dead. He doesn’t speak to any other members of his family either, for some reason. But yes, I’ll stop ranting on now, I’m so sorry. Thank you all for reading, I’m sorry if my babbling got on anyone’s nerves, I’m just a bit teary eyed, is all. Thank you, and have a wonderful Christmas on Wednesday.