Children

I think the biggest thing to remember is that everyone is different...there are plenty of people who don't have MI issues who don't want to bring up children. In my case, I didn't know I was sick before having kids. They have been my greatest joy and my reason for living. I have been a stay at home mom for all of their lives, without them, what would I have done with myself? At this point in my life, I can't imagine. I can't say it has always been easy, both boys have adhd, my oldest was in sp.ed in public school, we were part of a career army family, so there were always challenges. But you do what you have to do, you find help and you make it through.

I guess I am so adverse to it at this point of my life due to just coming out of a 10 year extremely bad phase of my life. I wouldnt wish that on my worst enemy, let alone my child. I know for a fact that many of my behaviours (ie self harm) were learned from my mother and as I go deeper into therapy I am finding my view of the world is very skewif because of the lessons I learned from my mother (unintentionally on her part). I dont blame her, she was a victim too. Where does the cycle stop?

I wasn't diagnosed until after I had kids, too.

I have two teenage daughters. When I started having my family 15 years ago at the age of 19, I only suffered from depression. It is a struggle especially in today's world. Would not take anything for my girls but I think they deserve a better mother. A friend/family member told me that he believes God gives us the children he wants us to have and He must have thought my kids needed me. Don't rush it and pray on it. Parenthood is a 24/7 365 day a year job with not many breaks.....

I just turned 21 and have a 2 year old daughter and no way was I ready for a child when she came in to the world. But no matter what, you can never truly prepare for a baby.

The biggest change I made in my life was I quit drinking alcohol. Unfortunately it took me 6 months and I wasnt really around in her newborn days. It saddens me to some extent, but I am here now and I do the best I can.

The downside is I have much more stress. But less depression. If that makes sense. But when depression comes, its the absolute worst, because I cant just lay down all day. I wish I could but I need to look after the toddler or go to work. I cant just sleep. How ever it goes away faster because im forced in to productivity

Whether my son had a dx or not he'd be in therapy.