Life / Family
I live with an aunt, uncle, relative, or family friend
Kinship care can be formal or informal. A caregiver does not need to be a parent for the relationship and home to be real.
The 30-second answer
Living with relatives or a trusted family friend is a recognized family arrangement. You can feel safe there and still miss or question your parents.
Things you may feel
Titles
You can use Aunt, Uncle, a first name, Mom, Dad, or another name that fits the relationship and household.
Family secrets
Adults may give partial or conflicting explanations about why the arrangement began.
Legal uncertainty
School enrollment, health care, benefits, travel, and consent can be harder without formal guardianship.
What you are not responsible for
- Choosing sides in the extended family
- Pretending you do not miss anyone
- Keeping unsafe contact secret
- Understanding every legal document
- Being permanently grateful
Something you can say
“I live with ___. They are the person caring for me. I need help making sure school and health paperwork are handled.”
When to involve another adult
You need practical help
Food, medication, transportation, school records, housing, health care, or supervision are unreliable.
Food, medication, transportation, school records, housing, health care, or supervision are unreliable.
You do not feel safe
There is violence, sexual behavior, threats, severe neglect, or impaired driving.
There is violence, sexual behavior, threats, severe neglect, or impaired driving.
The weight is too much
You are losing sleep, school, friendships, or hope because you are carrying adult responsibilities.
You are losing sleep, school, friendships, or hope because you are carrying adult responsibilities.
Sources and limits: Family arrangements vary widely. A page cannot determine legal custody rights or replace a caseworker, lawyer, clinician, school counselor, or local child-protection professional. Child Welfare kinship care · Federal family statistics
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