[Pierro]

My children see me cry quite a lot, and they don't show any emotion. Have I done this to them. What a great mother I am. Maybe they would be better off without me and my emotions.

What is wrong with showing emotions??? Isn't that showing you are human??

Seriously - I think it is HELPING your kids. Would you prefer that they grow up thinking that once they are 18 years old that there are no problems\worries\overwhelming moments?? THAT would set them up for disallusionment (?sp). That would be (IMO) dangerous.

[gayleggg]

I would have a talk with them to let them know that it's not their fault and that it is an illness that makes you cry. So that they don't start feeling guilty and thinking they did something wrong.

I did this with my daughter when she was small. She would see me cry and ask "is it one of those days?" I would say yes. It let her know that I was okay but dealing with something I couldn't help.

I hope you get to feeling better soon.

[Rohag]

Originally Posted by gayleggg

I did this with my daughter when she was small. She would see me cry and ask "is it one of those days?" I would say yes. It let her know that I was okay but dealing with something I couldn't help.

Outstanding approach here - offer an age-appropriate response that restrains any tendency to blame themselves.

Pierro!

[Pierro]

Thanks for all your responces. Yes, I have told my children that I am sad at times but it was nothing that they have done and even though I am sad it doesnt mean that I love them any less. Adults get sad too sometimes.