Do you have kids?

I have a son who will be 7 soon

Son, 27 and daughter, 26

I have two girls, ages 8 and 10.

I love my kids, but it is so hard being a bipolar parent. Parenting is hard enough, but I think it is particularly hard when you have bipolar disorder. My daughters are very close to me, but they also worry about me. They will comfort me if they happen to see me cry, but they shouldn’t have to do that to their mom. I’m supposed to be the one giving comfort. I don’t handle stress very well, and parenting is stressful, so sometimes it’s hard to keep it together. Like today. But my husband will help if I need him to.

I know I lose my temper more than I should, my mood swings are very obvious. And I just pray my children won’t grow up with ill effects because of my illness. They are adopted, so I’m not worried about them inheriting it from me (although I do keep an eye on my 10 year old because she has always had some mood issues). But I worry my chaotic mental state will cause them to have issues as they get older. It is always a worry of mine.

I have one daughter - 18 who went to a college in another city this semester. Still adjusting to Empty Nest Syndrome.

My oldest son would have turned 14 a couple days ago on the 21st. I also have a 12 year old girl and a 10 year old boy. I think my kids are the biggest reason I have kept fighting so hard through this illness. Maybe I would have given up by now if not for them.

I'm so sorry about your son. Did he pass away?

TreyF-I am so sorry for your loss

Thank you. Yes, he was born on the 21st and passed away on the 30th. He had an undetected heart defect called coarctation of the aorta. Usually this time of year is hell for me, but therapy has done wonders in helping me deal with the ptsd triggered by his death.

I have a daughter. She was active and happy until her father passed away. She started college at age 16 under a program in her high school, she worked tutoring kids, she volunteered for city events and orchestra events, and she would see her friends. She applied to another college at 17 that is hard to get into while he was in the hospital, and got her acceptance letter right after he passed away.

My daughter’s father/my husband was a genius, and I think my daughter is just like him. She is so bright, but her light went out after he paossed away. She doesn’t volunteer or work. She rarely sees her friends. She hasn’t done well in college (it has gotten better). She’s on medication for anxiety. She can’t sleep.

I didn’t find out about my mom’s diagnosis until I was pregnant. I just thought my mom had a raging temper (I don’t).

I didn’t have an inkling that I was bipolar until she was three (diet pills set off mania) and blew it off. I was just diagnosed definitively two years ago.

I am worried that my daughter may have inherited bipolar, but it is hard to say. My husband had an anxiety problem, and so does his brother and mother.

Anyway, I bought parenting books because I had no idea how to parent. My mom was extremely disfunctional and largely absent. I was a lock key child, and she disappeared for two years once right when I turned 13. Sometimes she left me with strangers, and I even lived alone (age 16-17) in high school (my parents split when I was three—I lived with my mother).

I think the parenting books really help. My daughter has never been spanked. I’m really proud of that.

Thank you for sharing your story. I was curious from things you’ve mentioned. I’ve always thought you are a positive and special person. You are a great parent as well and your love for your daughter really comes through.

Nope no kids. I like kids but the prospect of having my own didn't appeal to me when I was young. I then married the wrong guy who I am now divorcing so just as well I didn't have any.

Jennifer, I read a little about how great your daughter when our dear mis-adventurers made note of how awesome she is. I think the world of you too! I’ve noticed you offering comfort and support everywhere I look