Posted by Sarah04 on February 14, 2004, at 10:08:28
I hate to admit it, but sometimes parents just don't get it. I don't think that it is intentional, I just think we want our kids to be "happy" etc. I made this mistake with my daughter. I have joined this board to try an educate myself by reading other posts here.
In my daughters case, I let the "Professionals" make the best decisions for her, that was my first mistake.
What opened my eyes was when my daughter got older, she sat next to me an explained "in detail" her thoughts. She explained to me she didn't know why she felt the way she did, it "just happens to her". I then understood why she was sad, why she wouldn't get out of bed in the mornings etc.
My daughter is much better now, the depression is under control, and I think a major part of that is because I now support her, and understand her.
I read tons of articles etc., I found it really scary, and thought "well thats not my daughters problem".
This is getting long, but, if it takes a dozen times to sit with them and explain how you are feeling, do it. Don't let them interupt you, or put it off as foolish. Your "feelings" are real because it is what you "feel". I am not an author, but I wrote a book to inform parents on their Childrens Mental Health, how I let the "professionals" make decisions for her etc. The last part of the book reads "I am sorry it took me so long to understand you". It took me three years to understand what my daughter was feeling, so don't give up on them.
poster:Sarah04
thread:313203
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/books/20040211/msgs/313203.html