My parents didn’t really give it much thought until I took the plunge and went all out while at University. My dad handled it like a champ, which surprised me and was the one who (while 100 miles away on the phone) alerted the emergency services and got me a trip to hospital whilst at the same time dealing with someone who was very confused and in a dangerous place (he tricked me by saying he had to call back while he changed his phone battery).

Oddly enough it brought us closer together as up to that point we had barely spoken in 3 years.

In recent years I have tested the water and been very careful with sharing… paying note to the person I’m dealing with in regards to their temperament, attitudes and level of compassion (if any).

Been burnt on occasion… but as I don’t really share at all.. it hasn’t happened that often.

Took my wife about 9 years till she was able to get her head round it.