Hi All,
I'm hoping that someone with similar experience could give us some advice on how to talk to adult step-child about accepting help.
My adult step child doesnt have a learning-disability diagnosis but they are vulnerable and need support - social services are involved with them. They can hold down a job and drive a car but its becoming more apparent that they are starting to find life difficult - The house is chaotic and filthy - there are hoarding tendencies and pets urinating everywere.
DH is starting to think about his child's future as he doesnt think his child's current situation is do-able in the long term. We need to research possible solutions but wouldnt do anything without step-childs approval and agreement.
My query is how to broach this with them? Step-child lives on the opposite side of the country but we will be going up later on in the year and would like to start the conversation about their future. DH has a good relationship with his child but we are aware that we will have to tread very sensitively - there will be no pushing for immediate decisions or making decisions without their consent. Ideally we would just like to start them thinking about their own future and what they would like to happen.
Has anyone had a similar situation - and did they find any specific approach that worked. When asking step-child how they feel they are doing and how things are for them they tend to get defensive very quickly and dont want to discuss any issues they are having. If anyone could share how they broached the subject, we would be very grateful.