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Hey @nance12, thanks for helping out and providing some extra information on the topic. It is amazing to increase awareness and educate ourselves on topics, especially mental health. We can always learn more. Just something to be mindful of - whilst there are similarities in symptoms of disorders and illnesses, how an individual presents can be unique and different from others with the same disorder or illness. It is recommended to get professional support and advice in order to tailor treatment and discussion to the individual and their presenting symptoms. It is important to hear the individual's experience first-hand to avoid stereotypes or the perpetuation of stigma  ... View more

Thank you Jess1-RO,   What I've shared thus far is only a snippet, there's so much more to this story of my life. I was the dutiful daughter all my life, overcompensating for the brother & sister's absence in our parents life, I was the "Go Too" saviour on all fronts for all of them, the cement keeping the family together, silent about mental illness, addiction, abuse, narcissism to keep the peace, I loved my family unconditionally although the brother & sister could take it or leave it, until after 40ty years I was no longer silent which hasn't gone down well..... I'm the ogre who lifted the rug.   Support...hmmm, there is no family support whatsoever, I was the support, I learned very early on in life there was never any support for me, they simply weren't capable of it. On the family front there is one ole Aunt hitting 80 who I can talk too but lives in another state. Friends have become my family, long term friends, thank god for them, they keep me sane & have supported me through some dark times, particularly throughout our daughters treatment & the peadophile issues. The family peadophile is not the only one to cross our path, there was also another community peadophile who was taken to task during our daughters treatment of which I was key witness...he got 10 years...sooooo could have done without that coming to a head whilst trying to save a life...doesn't sound like reality does it but unfortunately is fact.   There have been times I've contemplated talking to a psychologist, if only to cry my heart out & get it all off my chest, but when you're one wage down with mounting medical bills that support was/is beyond my/our reach. I've done much reading & research which has helped me understand the whole dynamics of this dysfunctional family....& it's not my fault...I refuse to go down the path of self blame...instead I acknowledge how **bleep** hard I have tried & all the effort I've put in over many years until I simply gave up...& moved on, problem is they chase me down trying to drag me back into my allocated family role....the doormat...I'm not entering into it which seems to aggravate & also seems they will stop at nothing.   But yes, I probably need professional support as sometimes friends are at a loss no matter how hard they try, they don't have the answers, it's also not something I speak about too often these days, as I'm trying to put it behind me but when the abusive calls start it freshens it all up again.  ... View more

I read your story very bad and alas i do. hopefully god will fine all your difficult situations. ... View more

My heart goes out to you both @lizard0812 and @Troubled75. It's such a difficult space to be in when you are supporting a child going through such a difficult time. And yes self-care is a must but can often be overlooked when you're caring for others. I've probably said it before but always remember "you can't pour from an empty cup" so even working in really small care strategies (making time to read, have a cup of tea, meditate, go for a walk, journal) can help to recharge you ... View more

I am loving all of these amazing insights - thank you to everyone who has posted and shared!    @hippy_mum thank you for sharing your experience around being a single parent. I can only imagine the added complexities and challenges that come with that.  The bitter sweet journey of watching a young person grow up -  the goal is to see them become functional independent members of society  - but in doing so the parent-child connection certainly changes. Navigating the changing relationship, and finding ways to stay connected must be both painful, and challenging.   Amazing to reflect on all those positives and insights as well - there is so much to learn from young people.    ... View more

Hi @Momm-o Parenting a 15 year old teenager is a hard job, even without the extra issues we face when we are dealing with our children that suffer mental health issues. In your post you have said that her moods have been pretty stable on the medication , which is great. Maybe the paper just had something private she didn't feel she could share with her mum on it? I know I used to write poetry at that age to work through my emotions but would never show my mum. It sounds also like you have been very active in her treatment. Perhaps it is time for another conversation with her and work out some guidelines and boundaries for you both in regards to things she feels she wants private and things you need to know to keep her well. A solid foundation of trust goes a long way. Let her know that if she breaks that trust that things will change again. Good luck and keep in touch with how things go.  ... View more

She is angry and sad. I spoke to her year advisor this morning and I said how far do I push this as I am concerned how angry she is with the DP and the Learning and Wellbeing officer from DOE. They think that she is calling the shots maybe she is I don't know anymore I am so confused, all I know is I see her anger and sadness and her deep reluctance to return to this school - she wants to go to school just not there. I feel the relationship between her and the school was already rocky enough. I feel the only way forward for everyone involved is to push for enrolment at another school. ... View more

@Sammeebee - Ah you're making me want to watch it!!! (the handmaid's tale..)  I'll give it another go!    And I've heard good things about The Crown too ... British TV is just on it's own level isn't it.. sounds great.    @Jess1-RO The Office is THE BEST. and I've started Brooklyn 99 - but haven't committed to it yet.  The other greatest show to binge is Parks and Rec.    ... View more

Another great service we’ve used previously, and have recently been referred to again, is Mission Australia. They offer family counselling, parenting support and outreach services for teens. They’ll meet with them in a place comfortable for the teen. We used to meet in my daughter’s favourite cafe for her appointments and they were so good with her.    I’m going back for parenting support. Last time we were with them I was studying online and needed to do 3 supervised exams which they were happy to supervise, so they really offer whatever support they can!      ... View more

Hi @Langus,   All the suggestions and advice you have received is great.   The only other thing I would suggest is talking to her Year Advisor at school. It will be beneficial for them to be aware of her tendency to feelings of overwhelm, especially since you mentioned she is at a new school, therefore they may not know her very well yet. The year advisors job is to have a connection with students in that year and to be a liaison between student/parents and the subject teachers. At most schools, hopefully hers too, the year advisor will move through the 6 years with their allocated year, so establishing rapport with that person will be beneficial for all of you for Year 11 & 12. Once you or your partner have had a discussion with the year advisor, they may be able to discuss her subject ideas with the individual teachers for you, focusing on her strengths from year 10, to save you speaking to 6 or 7 different teachers. Then they may be able to come back to you all with suggestions and ideas about possible choices that may work for her. I agree though, from experience as a teacher and a parent, the pressure that is put on these kids at school and the emphasis on the HSC is at times too much. I have taken the approach with my own daughters, (one who is currently doing the HSC, and another also in Year 10)  that the HSC isn't the be all and there is ALWAYS other ways to get where you want to. And it's ok and normal to not know what they want to do at their age. If the message they get at home is...."do your best and try hard but it really doesn't matter" then I think we reassure them and they come home to a place of less pressure, which is needed if there is a lot of emphasis on high marks at the school. The most important thing I think they need to learn through Year 11 & 12 is to be organised and plan and prioritise, ensuring there is balance in their life. Keeping a detailed diary with all commitments in it, social, work, sport and then assignments and exams too. Then planning when they will be allocating time to complete things and having a weekly timetable. I hope this helps. Good luck. Come back and let us know how it goes. :)  ... View more

I’m here...... Two weeks late and not computer savvy - hahaha what could possibly go wrong🤦🏼‍♀️💻 ... View more

@Sallyanne thank you for sharing with us about your son and the thrive approach It sounds like you've had many ups and downs but you have remained positive throughout all of this. You are doing an amazing job! I really admire your use of positive affirmations and I completely agree that they are so powerful!  ... View more