I was expecting sarcasm or surprise when I told my kids I had an appointment with a therapist. Well, they surprised me, but now they're acting like I'm made of glass!
It may be the first time in their lives that I've admitted I couldn't cope, but I'm not so fragile they have to protect me from everything! Parts of the Christmas dinner I cooked were outstanding, some things were OK, and the pie from a new recipe was awful! But everyone was going on like I'd created a culinary masterpiece!
They decided it was too depressing that I didn't have a tree, so they went and bought me one. Lord knows, I appreciate the thought, and am grateful for the love that's behind it, but my depression comes from the inside, not my surroundings. It isn't their fault, and it isn't something they can fix! I can't even fix it, that's why I'm seeking professional help.
How do I convince them that it's ok to be themselves around me? I'm still who I've always been, being honest isn't going to push me over the edge to suicide or anything, and they're going to stress themselves out like this. I don't want to make them feel like I don't appreciate what they're trying to do....