I dont think saying it's because you have a mental illness is a good way to put it......all parents do the best with what they know and just because it a mental illness making it harder does not mean its because you have the mental illness it just because you have different lesson to learn that would benifit your kids. Saying if my kids did not see my depression issues they would be fine is just not true cause I beleaive children born to people who have a history of depression in the family will proberly become depressed no matter who raises them if the child is not in professional therapy......it like saying Imy child is at risk a known genetic illness but I give him up so he has a better chance of not getting it....it already locked up in his genetics waiting for the right trigger to set it off just because parent with depression are more likly to have the right trigger to set it off does nopt mean you behaviours are bad for them.....if fact I thinks its better cause your are the expert you are more able to see the signs before it get out of control you are more able to convince a therapist that your child needs help and NOW and the child is not going to be triggered later in life and be bowled over in shock wonder why it happened to them......It just that we have not quite reached a place in the medical world where children can be treated with medication as safly a T is more likly to only option which if you ask me is a better option if you child responds well cause the problem was picked up early enought....