Thanks for the reply, its been 2 weeks and things came to a head a few days ago when two of his friends came running into our bedroom at 1am waking us up by telling us he was threatening to jump of the bridge. My world changed in that very moment. Pulling up in the car, police and ambulance were there, I broke. Thankfully he reached out to friends in that moment, and they did all the right things. He was taken to hospital, and kept overnight. We spoke to the MH team in the morning, and they let him come home, its night time that's the issue he gets consumed by the dark thoughts, we've tried sleeping tablets none of them working very well. I'm not sure i will sleep again until I know we are on top of this. He has another phone call with the MH team on Sunday, another Dr appointment next week to ask about antidepressants/anxiety/sleep aid. Headspace on Wednesday. I'm not sure what I'm asking for exactly here. Just wanted to vent I guess. ... View more

He was great in taking the emotion out of it and breaking it down into whats real... i've only had 1 appointment so far which was just explaining the situation, the next ones will be about strategies for me. I would definitely go with my daughter, it was always the plan. However with her now being 12 hours away its not an option :( ... View more

@Nick-RO taking things minute by minute.. the chaos that is back to school is hard.. not picking her up as a part of my daily routine is a constant reminder. I myself have had one psychologist appointment to help me cope with the situation. I have a script for anti depressants myself.. but haven't taken them as of yet but at least I know they are there if I need them.  ... View more

They both go down every school holidays to see their dad and that side of the family. Its been our arrangement for 12 years now. I work and instead of them being bored at home with me its always been great they could go there and have an actual holiday and fun. I guess it back fired? He thinks its a good thing she stays there, if I forced her to come back she'd rebel more.. and I get it. Its just so hard! I had to totally clean out her room.. she had cigarette butts in her clothing. So I packed everything up and was going to redecorate it. Now shes angry at me for packing up her things... why does it bother her if she was not planning to come back? am I suppose to leave it as it was smelling like cigarettes. Its like nothing I do is right with her. She had her first headspace appointment on Monday.. and finally someone else sees what I see! They have noted she has anger issues, anxiety issues, an inability to process emotions, and low self esteem. So she'll be seeing a drug and alcohol counselor every week. Apparently they run through the salvation army and she can have as many apts as she needs without a cost. There has been a lot of twisting my words and intentions and I fear the longer she is away the more things will get twisted :( I always thought the bond between mother and children was based on unconditional love.. im not feeling any of that from her anymore.. when a mere month ago she hugged me tightly and told me she loved me. 4 Weeks away from me and now she suddenly hates me. ... View more

Her dad was the one who rang me and told me she would not be coming home.. no chance to really even discuss it. I work too much. I get it.. i'd probably want her out of their house if she did this stuff there. I already blame myself as it is, and none of it is helping at all. My son returned as planned... but seeing him only walk off the plane.. my heart literally hurt, chest pain.. pain in the arms.. full blown anxiety attack. it was horrible :( She had her first headspace appointment... im just sad i wasn't there for her,and im sad that she thinks so poorley of me :(   ... View more

Our situation got worse... shes run off to live with her Dad, I haven't spoken to her in 4 weeks. My heart is broken :'( ... View more

Thanks for the welcome!   I have 4 kids, 15 year old son, 13 year old girl, 7 year old girl and 4 year old girl. While there hasn't been a whole lot of laughing lately. My son and his best friend are constantly being goofy with each other, and my girls especially the youngest just tell me the most random stories. One thing I wish I knew? that the reason they are so darn cute as babies it to build up that stash of unconditional love because they sure love to try and use it all up as teens! What led me here was my 13 year old daughter, shes gotten a bit lost which has made me doubt myself as a parent. ... View more

and it just gets worse... just when I think we've gotten to the bottom of it. It turns out a photo of her was posted on the local police FB page... wanted for break and enter.   How do I get help for me... struggling to stay strong for her :( ... View more

The main bad behaviour is the typical teenage attitudes.. refusal to help around the house, horrible towards her younger siblings.. nothing totally unexpected from a 13 year old..   However.. its seems this whole situation has opened a can of worms.. its almost like pulling a thread and the whole thing is unraveling? I walked into her room this morning to wake her up so we could get ready for santa photos... and all I could smell was cigarette smoke.. and well i'm ashamed to admit it but I totally lost the plot. Her father smokes (my ex) and she is always getting upset at the fact he doesn't stop.. but yet here she was doing it herself. Then as that string was pulled... she confessed to also shoplifting   How on earth did all this happen?    I called her dad and step mother and just told them everything that has been going on.. even though she asked me to not say anything.. and I even appologised to her for breaking her trust, but I couldn't keep doing this on my own anymore. After talking to him and her step mother on the phone... I then sat her down, with her older brother, step dad and me... and I guess you could say we had an intervention of sorts? no yelling.. just a chance for all of us to say how much we do love her.. and yes while her choices disappoint us.. those choices do not represent her. She just really lost right now.. apparently shes been seeing a school counselor... but she doesn't like her. I've spoken to her best friends mum and let her know whats going on and shes being a great support too. I just wish she didnt feel so alone or not normal... I guess I just have to keep reassuring her and hope that one day she believes me :( ... View more

The GP appointment went really well. He listened to all my concerns.. my daughter is a little shy/reserved so really didn't talk much. She has a referral to a psychologist and has a mental health plan. Blood tests were done to see if there is anything hormonal going on. The dr also wants to see her every month for a weigh in just to make sure that her weight stays stable and we can catch things early.  She seems happy to go and talk to someone.. especially when I told her to was totally confidential and they cant even tell me. She thinks this will help with next year and school and controlling her anxiety.   I hope so.. shes very very good at manipulating the situation and I struggle with how to discipline her knowing all this is going on. Hour by hour, day by day. ... View more

I thought the gym was a good idea... but i'm afraid it may have back fired. I've always tried to be wary about teens and body image. I few weeks ago I stumbled across images she printed out of girls with anorexia and saying like candy or colar bones and calendar month printed out with how many calories she was allowed to consume.. she assured me it was just a thing at the time and she loves food too much. After doing some research self harming and eating disorders can be linked and can go hand in hand. She doesn't weigh much as it is :(   I managed to get her booked into a dr this morning and I guess we will take it from there   How on earth do I manage to get myself together and be strong for her when I feel like im falling apart??   I'll check out the places you have mentioned, thanks so much for just having a place like this where I can share and not feel so alone. ... View more

she had some issues at the previous school, she found herself just getting into trouble and didn't know how to get out of it. She is super bright.. and I know most parents say that right? she didn't like who she was becoming.. so after she got suspended for standing up to a bully I asked her if she wanted to change schools and she did.. so I changed her the very next week. We've been talking more lately which has been good.. apart from every time I think we are getting through the rough patch.. something else happens! we recently discovered shes been sneaking out her bedroom window.. her explanation is that she was having anxiety about exams and just needed the air...do I believe her? I dont know.. she was taking her big doona cover outside with her.. so maybe? We've been going to the gym together for 1 on 1 time, I know the gym helps with my mental health.. so I was hoping it has with hers. I've let her read my poetry I used to write at her age when I was struggling, to let her know she is not alone in how she feels. I'm totally down with doing anything to help her.... I called my boss in tears and she has given me the day off tomorrow to get her booked into see a Dr to discuss what we do next. Too much info maybe? but her periods which she has had for 2 years are no where near regular so i'll be requesting a blood test for her for that. she told me she is ok, and that she is happy now... i'm just scared that I didn't see it before what if I miss it and its too late? god its hard not being able to fix everything! sorry not sure any of that made sense and was a little all over the place. ... View more