[jadedrose325]

Does anyone here have kids? Do they know about self injury in general and do they know you are or used to be a part of it? How did you tell them if you did? Have they ever seen your cuts or scars? What did you tell them?

Sorry, I'm just really curious. I have a 3 and a 4 year old little girl who know nothing. I've only cut myself once since my oldest has been born, but that doesn't mean it's not a part of my life. At this point in my life I pick scabs and they always ask me how I get my boo boos. What am I going to tell them when they're older and "don't worry about it" just doesn't cut it?

[Miswimmy1]

I dont know as I am still technically a child myself. However, I think the best thing to do is not act like its some bad thing. I mean it is, but by skirting around the issue and making up things, they will learn that a stigma comes with the scars. I would be open about it, educate them about it (so that they know that it's not a good idea), but don't hide. They are part of your story and I don't think u should hide it.

[jadedrose325]

I won't when they're older, for sure. But right now they're just so young and innocent... I don't want to be the one to ruin that.

[whenwillitend]

My kids are almost 4 and almost 10. I have lots of scars on my arm, and currently healing cuts from a sui attempt.
They ask, and so far I've gotten away with "just boo boos", "it's nothing", "don't worry about it", "mommy had a little accident", things like that. The older one thinks the scars are cat scratches, and that's what he tells people.

I don't know what I'm going to tell them when they get older. My older son also has a mental illness, and I am so scared that he might start to si some day. That thought just kills me.

[jadedrose325]

My older son also has a mental illness, and I am so scared that he might start to si some day. That thought just kills me.

I know!! I would hate for my girls to go through this someday. But I also think to myself that if I'm not honest with them, why should they be honest with me? Not that it's a big issue right now them being 3 and 4, but someday...
Thanks for your honesty.

[healed84]

My kids are young still.. However, they have both seen both old scars and fresh cuts. They just say, out you have a boo, boo. And when my oldest (she is 4) asked how it happened, I just said I just got cut.

When they are older and ask about the scars and I feel like they can handle it, I may share. For now though.. they will be in the dark.

[nicoleb2]

My kids are 10 and 7 and when they have asked, I just said they're just some scars and so far thats good enough for them

[greyclouds]

I have 10 and 2 year old, I would never ever discuss my si issues with them.

As I would always worry that if life got to stressful for them one day, the thought would cross there mind, "well that's how mummy coped"

Hopefully they will never come to the dark places we have. But if they do hopefully they will find better and safer ways to deal with feelings.

My kids have recently been asking about my cuts as I have been SI quite frequent, I had come up with the excuse that I am allergic to something but I don't know what, It is hard on them my kids are older now I used to SI on my legs and stomach but lately I have been harming on my arms, I am scared of telling them the truth in fear of them doing the same.

[greyclouds]

You could say that you have sensitive skin so sometimes when you knock yourself it harms you more then it would others!

Our children should not have to worry about us,
My mum even now if I get a bruise or anything, starts are you si again, are down again. I watch the pain and worry.

I hope that you are keeping safe hugs

Mine have never asked and I don't talk about it and most likely won't.

I feel that I'm being abusive to them by being abusive to myself. It's just not something kids should have to worry about. I worry about them so much and wish I had never started this nonsense.

[greyclouds]

Aww kids very rarely know what's happening. I wouldnt add worry to your stress.

My kids never knew I was depressed I hid it from them, it was very hard. When they went to bed that's when I would break down.

I'm sure you are a very good mummy and your babies love you very much. Keep being strong for them xx

[AngelWolf3]

I have two kids, one is 11 and one is 7. I haven't told them , because most of my visible scars are very faded; I used to train in martial arts, so I have always thought of using that as an "out." The more recent are not anywhere they would see. I don't want them to ask questions. I don't know if I could be honest and tell them the truth if they asked, I would feel the same as others, worrying about if they would see that I coped that way and think it was the proper way to cope with things.

I don't want them to worry about me; my eldest has already revealed to his dad that he worries about me. I love that he loves me, but to worry about my mental health is not his job at such a young age! I thought I was so careful to act "okay" guess kids are more perceptive than I gave credit for.

[LostMom3]

We have a total of 7 boys here from age 14 to 21. I got into a discussion with a few of them the other day about SI, because they know someone at school who does this. They just couldn't understand any reasons why someone would do this. I told them that I did it to release some of my pain. That was the first time I have discussed it with any of the kids. I have not talked about it with my 20 yr old or my 23 yr old. They never saw any injuries and never paid attention to the scars.