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My kids don't understand my mental illness
Mental Health | Last Active: Nov 29, 2019 | Replies (47)Comment receiving replies
What a challenging decision! Finding a reputable counselor would be a reputable counselor, maybe a family counselor. I'd suggest that you talk with the counselor alone before you say anything to your kids.
A counselor might work with you on the reasons for telling your kids, as well as reasons not to tell them; are you doing it for your own benefit; how telling them might affect you - or how not telling could affect you. Those are just a few questions you could be asked to explore. I'm not saying that you should answer any of that kind of question to us - unless you want to. We're just here to listen and lend our support. I'll be praying for you, that God will give you wisdom in handling this.
PS I wrote this before I read your post. It's good that you have a good psychiatrist. Have they ever suggested that you see a family counselor?
Jim
Replies to "@peach414144 What a challenging decision! Finding a reputable counselor would be a reputable counselor, maybe a..."
Hi Jim, Yes to see a family counselor. I have done this many years ago but none of them would answer to this and I was ignored. Now it is much later in our lives and I want to try again.
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Thank you Jim. You are right. Their father could have seen and visited with them but I would have wanted supervised visits. It never came to that because he wanted his way, with no responsibilities for his children and to never see them again which was his choice. Another way to hurt the children. If they knew he really did not care to see them that knowledge would harm them even more. Seems I am damned if I do and damned if I don't. I want them to know the truth but how much will it hurt them? My son is very fragile with the nineteen some operations and other clinical work that was a must to rehabilitate him. But he is responsible and does hold a job. I did a good job holding it all together with no help. I am sure I have made many mistakes but I am proud of myself and do know that I have done a good job for all of us. I think my adult children should be put in their place and doing this by their knowing the entire history of this family. They are in their late fifties and should be grown-ups by now.