understanding?

I have a 15 year old child who i took under my care a little over a year ago. Her parents didn't want her and having experiance in foster care, i didn't want this brilliant child to get lost in a system she didn't have to. It's been difficult but i am doing great with raising her and i receive compliments all the time.
she has seen me in the psych ward and has witnessed me cutting, but we've never had the chance to seriously sit down and discuss it.
Any suggestions how to bring it up and explain that i have BP?? She is quite young but i know she really looks up to me and i hope that being open with her would benefit our bond.

Hi Short n sweet and welcome to PC.


As a mother of two teenage girls and a 10 year old boy, I have always been reluctant to share "too much" about my mental illness for several reason. I didnt want to scare them or shatter their image that they may of had of me.

I have posted about this before, how much to tell kids and what exactly you should tell them. I think kids deserve alot more credit that we give them. They are pretty sharp and now a days I know that in school they do talk about suicide prevention and things of that nature. Not sure they really discuss all aspects of mental illness but the basis is there.

Perhaps talking with your T first about how you should approach her would help. I wish you luck with this and please keep us posted.

Take care,

Jen