Quote:
Originally Posted by lilypup
I am 55 and have had severe mental illness since being a teenager. I have had many good spells of mental health.
My husband and I have been married 28 years. During this time, his sister was not overly friendly with me. I don't think she understood my illness and we didn't explain it all to her. Her husband, however, we had a good relationship with.
Well, now I have explained to her that I have psychosis and hear voices. She has been supportive and I feel our relationship is on the mend.
My question is this: I have 3 nieces and nephews ages 23,20, 18. I've had no relationship with these kids. Is it too late to forge something with them? I feel so guilty about this. I have kids of my own 26,23,and 20 so I know something about that age.
What do you think? How could I start?
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Uhmmm...tough one actually. By all means, I'll say try, but you might be disappointed, because being the age they are and basically being adults themselves, their independence might not lend them to respond in the way, or at the rate, you had hoped for. But, if this does happen, don't feel bad or anything, they are kind of grown up already with made up minds somewhat. You've done good with your own children, considering you have raised them despite all the issues you have faced your entire life (well done!!!). Was it you that was telling me about your son who is 23 and is such a friendly and honest young guy? That tells me you did a good job (considering he is also the "middle child", normally the most difficult one for any parent).
Young people (of today especially) are rather difficult to connect with (even for me and I'm 25!
) and you never know how they are going to respond, so don't sweat it too much. Honestly, there are some family members I never see (only when they get married or something
) and I can't actually say that my life has been somehow empty without them. We're family, but honestly, I have some friends that are closer than what they are to me.
I would say, only if they are going to become a big part of your life from this point onwards, like maybe you are now going to see them on a much more regular basis or something, then, of course, you'll have to get closer to them because you are more in their company than before. But, if not, then maybe it's not really going to matter actually, IDK.