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Mental health

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How do you explain your health problem to your DCs?

2 replies

SirBoobAlot · 30/08/2012 20:40

My Borderline Personality Disorder is bad right now. I'm spending a lot of time laying on the bed wishing for the world to stop spinning. DS is three and very independent, plays solo quite happily, and at times brings things in to play with me. Which is fine.

Tonight however I flipped out over something very small, and then promptly burst into tears apologizing for shouting at him. He gave me a big hug and said it was okay and that he wanted me to be happy again. A little while later he asked me why I had been feeling so angry and sad.

I know right now he's too little to understand my condition, nor should he have to. But at some point he will need to, its not something that is going to go away. I have up to now explained that as well as having poorly legs and getting tired (I have ME / PCOS as well), I have another illness which sometimes makes me feel very sad or angry, but that its doesn't mean I don't love him, even when I shout.

How have you explained to your children? What have you said to them?

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GracieLoo · 30/08/2012 22:22

I have a three year old too, she's very bright but when I break down and can't stop crying as I've been doing a lot recently, she doesn't say anything or respond at all. I try to hide it from her but that's not always possible as I'm sole parent. I feel it might be damaging her, so I just make a comment like 'mummy's just a bit tired, or feels a bit poorly. Mummy's not sad with you, you've been really good etc'. Trouble is, it breaks my heart and makes me cry more. I don't know what to say really. I don't want her getting damaged by having me as her mum, but I hope I'm dealing with it ok, as in sure u are. Three is still very young but they pick up on so much.

SirBoobAlot · 31/08/2012 09:11

I'm a single mum too and have the same worries. My psych was lovely about it when I told him I was concerned once, and said its just as important for them to see adults crying as smiling, so they know its normal. But I dunno. At the moment I feel like I'm just holding on to the edge of sanity, really.

I'm sorry you're having a rough time right now. I'm sure you're doing fantastically with her.

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